Robert Bage, Hermsprong, Or Man as He is Not

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Robert Bage’s

Hermsprong

was unlucky in its timing. Published in 1796, it is an exuberant, comic celebration of free debate and independent thought, featuring a boldly outspoken hero who challenges representatives of church and state to adhere to the values they nominally uphold, and a forthright heroine who capably employs charm, intelligence — and on one occasion a pistol — to defeat her enemies. It exemplifies the liberal values endorsed by a number of writers of the 1780s and early 90s, yet within a few years of publication, it was already starting to seem hopelessly old-fashioned, tainted by its author’s outmoded, even dangerous political views. As early as 1810, Anna Laetitia Barbauld, who advocated moderate political and social reform in her own writing, was warning…

1276 words

Citation: Perkins, Pam. "Hermsprong, Or Man as He is Not". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 18 June 2003 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=4771, accessed 29 March 2024.]

4771 Hermsprong, Or Man as He is Not 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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