In eighteenth-century literature; negative representations of Catholic nuns and convents were pervasive. Yet; during the politico-religious crises initiated by the French Revolution; a striking literary shift took place as British writers championed the cause of nuns; lauded their socially relevant work; and addressed the attraction of the convent for British women. Interactions with Catholic religious; including priests and nuns; Tonya J Moutray argues; motivated writers; including Hester Thrale Piozzi; Helen Maria Williams; and Charlotte Smith; to revaluate the historical and contemporary utility of religious refugees. Beyond an analysis of literary texts; Moutrays study also examines nunsrsquo; personal and collective narratives; as well as news coverage of their arrival to England; enabling a nuanced investigation of a range of issues; including nuns displacement and imprisonment in France; their rhetorical and practical strategies to resist authorities; representations of refugee migration to and resettlement in England; relationships with benefactors and locals; and the legal status of "English" nuns and convents in England; including their work in recruitment and education. Moutray shows how writers and the media negotiated the multivalent figure of the nun during the 1790s; shaping British perceptions of nuns and convents during a time critical to their survival.
2015-12-16 2015-12-16File Name: B01D97JTBQ
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