- Robert Bage (novelist)
Robert Bage (
1728 -September 1 ,1801 ), Englishnovelist , born inDerbyshire , was the son of a paper-maker and was himself a papier. For a time he lived inElford ,Staffordshire . It was not until he was 53 that he took to literature; but in the 15 years following he produced six novels, of whichSir Walter Scott said that "strong mind, playful fancy, and extensive knowledge are everywhere apparent." Scott included "Mount Henneth" (1781), "Barham Downs" (1784), and "James Wallace"(1792) in his series of "Ballantyne novels."Bage was brought up as a Quaker, but he became a philosophical and religious radical after the
French Revolution . He advocated democracy and equality (the abolition of the peerage), as well as the abolition of institutional religion.The work for which he is chiefly read today is "Hermsprong or Man as he is not", his last novel. Although regarded as radical at the time, the novel is somewhat disjointed. The first section of the novel is a wit novel with a strong philosophical content. However, it then turns to a
sentimental novel form and follows a romance. The philosophical challenge of the novel is that it concerns an American who has been raised entirely by American Indians, without either formal education or religion. With only nature to teach him, he sees through the hypocrisy of society and English manners. It is notable for pursuing the theme of thenoble savage and, in particular, "nativism." When the novel exchanges socialsatire for a love story, however, it loses any power to debunk educational and classist abuses.Bibliography:
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Mount Henneth " (1781)
*"Barham Downs" (1784)
*"The Fair Syrian " (1787)
*"James Wallace" (1788)
*"Man as he is " (1792)
*"Hermsprong or Man as he is not " (1796)External links
* [http://www.search.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/engine/resource/default.asp?theme=8&originator=%2Fengine%2Fcustom%2Fpeople%2Easp&page=&records=&direction=&pointer=7&text=0&resource=4038 Biography on Revolutionary Players website]
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