The Glasgow novel

Elliot, Robert David (1977) The Glasgow novel. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This thesis is a study of the Glasgow novel from its
beginnings in the early nineteenth century till the present
day. After a brief look at the issues raised by Scottish
industrial fiction in general we go on to approach the
Glasgow genre in the light of the themes and groupings
it has thrown up, and in doing so a chronological history
emerges indirectly. We find no all embracing theory, but
a number of significant points are raised. Foremost stands
a continuing split between a vision of the city as an
industrial centre and, conversely, as a centre of culture.
Chapter One shows the novelist's view of materialism and
ambition in the Victorian city and how this changes as we
enter the twentieth century. The next Chapter examines
the Glasgow examples of kailyard fiction. Chapter Three
then traces the increasing awareness of lower life in the
novel and the technical approaches it involves, and the
next Chapter looks in detail at an offshoot of this - the
gang novel. Chapter Five, on politics, gives the lie to
the myth of Red Clyde si d e, and confirms the split approach
to the city. Chapter Six views the Glasgow novel through
its. apprehension of religion and its replacement as the
genre ages by an interest in the individual, Chapter Seven
looks at the many different manifestations of pride associated
with the city, while Eight and Nine deal with the peculiar
contributions of respectively women and children, Chapter Ten shows how the city's past has evoked various responses
- some superficial others strongly felt - and Chapters
Eleven and Twelve give a detailed look at the two most
important writers to have worked on the city. Finally
the Glasgow genre is set in context - against the wider
background of both Scottish and English regional fiction.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN0080 Criticism; P Language and Literature > PR English literature
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Scottish Literature
• Supervisor's Name: Scott, Mr. Alexander
• Date of Award: 1977
• Depositing User: Ms Mary Anne Meyering
• Unique ID: glathesis:1977-5058
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 25 Mar 2014 12:40
• Last Modified: 26 Mar 2014 13:59
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/5058