Beatrix Potter
Subtitle: writing in code
By: by M. Daphne Kutzer.
Series: Children's literature and culture ;; 27
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2003
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 182
Subjects: Potter, Beatrix, 1866-1943 -- Criticism and interpretation.; Children -- Books and reading -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th century.; Women and literature -- England -- History -- 20th century.; Children's stories, English -- History and criticism.; Animals in literature.
Description: "In celebration of Peter Rabbit's centennial birthday, Beatrix Potter: Writing in Code presents the first full-length study of Potter's entire canon, examining all twenty-six tales in a biographical and cultural context. Close reading demonstrates how plots and imagery in the stories parallel Potter's life and socio-political concerns. Drawing extensively on the author's coded journal and private correspondence, M. Daphne Kutzer argues that Potter's picture books for children contain disguised references to her personal life, political viewpoints, and business acumen. In its novel approach, Beatrix Potter, Writing in Code peers through the veil of nostalgia that often clouds critical responses to the tales, thereby revealing previously overlooked complexities and subtleties. Attention to Potter's career and private reflections illuminates not only the surface meanings of her books but also their artfully coded social, political, and biographical commentary. Regarded in this light, they tell us as much about Potter and her world as they do about mischievous rabbits and mice."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 171-175) and indexes.