'The ruin of rural England' : an interpretation of late nineteenth century agricultural depression, 1879-1914
This thesis attempts a re-interpretation of late nineteenth-century agricultural depression, specifically in England, by complementing economic histories to suggest a hitherto neglected cultural component equally defined Victorian comprehension of both the phenomenon's geographic distribution and symbolic form. Adopting recent theoretical shifts in historical geography that validate the use of literary evidence in combination with economic data sources, the thesis claims depression was constructed from an accretion of mythologised layers of meaning deposited unconsciously or otherwise. These symbolic forms influenced spatial outcomes both in material and imaginary realms, and the nature of debate at varying levels from fanning debates to intellectual discourses. The thesis examines three distinct examples of the accumulation and distribution of depression symbolism and how each signification was acted upon by different discursive communities. Firstly, attention will be directed towards farming behaviour and the consumption of depression myth. Critically the thesis suggests within farming, depression emerged as a state of mind that inhibited the production of indigenous solutions, thus further propagating depression.
Roberts, Jason Lewis
Small holdings ; Victorian ; Agriculture ; Depression ; Geography ; Englishness ; Degeneration ; National identity
'The ruin of rural England' : an interpretation of late nineteenth century agricultural depression, 1879-1914. This thesis attempts a re-interpretation of late nineteenth-century agricultural depression, specifically in England, by complementing economic histories to suggest a hitherto neglected cultural component equally defined Victorian comprehension of both the phenomenon's geographic distribution and symbolic form. Adopting recent theoretical shifts in historical geography that validate the use of literary evidence in combination with economic data sources, the thesis claims depression was constructed from an accretion of mythologised layers of meaning deposited unconsciously or otherwise. These symbolic forms influenced spatial outcomes both in material and imaginary realms, and the nature of debate at varying levels from fanning debates to intellectual discourses. The thesis examines three distinct examples of the accumulation and distribution of depression symbolism and how each signification was acted upon by different discursive communities. Firstly, attention will be directed towards farming behaviour and the consumption of depression myth. Critically the thesis suggests within farming, depression emerged as a state of mind that inhibited the production of indigenous solutions, thus further propagating depression.
the ruin rural_england interpretation agricultural depression attempt_re interpretation late_nineteenth century agricultural depression specifically england complement economic_history suggest hitherto neglected cultural component equally define victorian comprehension phenomenon geographic distribution symbolic form adopting recent_theoretical shift historical_geography validate use literary_evidence combination economic data_source claim depression construct layer mean deposit unconsciously otherwise symbolic form influence spatial outcome material imaginary realm nature debate varying level fan debate intellectual_discourse examines three_distinct example accumulation distribution depression symbolism signification act_upon different discursive community firstly attention_direct towards farm behaviour consumption depression myth critically suggest within farm depression emerge state mind production indigenous solution thus propagate depression