Providence, emotion and self-writing in England, c.1660-c.1720
This thesis offers a new interpretation of providentialism in late seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century England. Historians have seen this as a transitional period in providential belief and expression, between heightened engagement and gradual decline, and have provided us with many perspectives on the changing role of providence in English culture. But we still have yet to understand fully the role of providence in individual lives, where change occurred at an experiential and quotidian level. This thesis aims to fill this historiographical gap by examining practical, subjective and individual experiences of providentialism. Drawing on first-person narratives such as diaries and memoirs, conceptualised as sites of personal agency, it sheds light at the micro-level on broader shifts in providential belief and thought. These primary sources show how individuals exercised a personal providentialism, writing their relationship with Godâs providence into their own emerging sense of self. Investigation of the emotional resonances of providentialism also emphasizes its centrality to inner lives and personal identity, characterised by subtle but significant modes of feeling. Several case studies demonstrate
Lewis, Victoria
Providence, emotion and self-writing in England, c.1660-c.1720. This thesis offers a new interpretation of providentialism in late seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century England. Historians have seen this as a transitional period in providential belief and expression, between heightened engagement and gradual decline, and have provided us with many perspectives on the changing role of providence in English culture. But we still have yet to understand fully the role of providence in individual lives, where change occurred at an experiential and quotidian level. This thesis aims to fill this historiographical gap by examining practical, subjective and individual experiences of providentialism. Drawing on first-person narratives such as diaries and memoirs, conceptualised as sites of personal agency, it sheds light at the micro-level on broader shifts in providential belief and thought. These primary sources show how individuals exercised a personal providentialism, writing their relationship with Godâs providence into their own emerging sense of self. Investigation of the emotional resonances of providentialism also emphasizes its centrality to inner lives and personal identity, characterised by subtle but significant modes of feeling. Several case studies demonstrate
providence emotion self writing england offer_new interpretation late seventeenth england historians see transitional_period providential belief expression heighten engagement gradual decline provide many perspective change_role providence english culture still yet_fully role providence individual life change_occur experiential quotidian level aim_fill historiographical gap_examine practical subjective individual_experience drawing first_person narrative diary memoir conceptualise site personal agency shed_light micro_level broad shift providential belief thought primary_source show individual exercise personal write relationship god providence emerge sense_self investigation emotional resonance also emphasize centrality inner live personal_identity characterise subtle significant mode feeling several case_study