Second Sight in the Nineteenth Century

Prophecy, Imagination and Nationhood

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British
Cover of the book Second Sight in the Nineteenth Century by Elsa Richardson, Palgrave Macmillan UK
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Elsa Richardson ISBN: 9781137519702
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan UK Publication: June 2, 2017
Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan Language: English
Author: Elsa Richardson
ISBN: 9781137519702
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication: June 2, 2017
Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan
Language: English

This book explores the phenomenon of second sight in nineteenth-century literature and culture. Second sight is a form of prophetic vision associated with the folklore of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Described in Gaelic as the An-da-shealladh or ‘the two sights’, those in possession of this extraordinary power are said to foresee future events like the death of neighbour, the arrival of strangers into the community, the success or failure of a fishing trip. From the late seventeenth century onwards, rumours of this strange faculty attracted the attention of numerous scientists, travel writers, antiquarians, poets and artists. Focusing on the nineteenth century, this book examines second sight in relation to mesmerism and phrenology, modern spiritualism and anthropology, romance literature and folklorism and finally, psychical research and Celtic mysticism. Tracing the migration of a supposedly ‘Scottish’ tradition through various sites of nineteenth-century popular culture, it explores questions of nationhood and identity alongside those posed by supernatural phenomena.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book explores the phenomenon of second sight in nineteenth-century literature and culture. Second sight is a form of prophetic vision associated with the folklore of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Described in Gaelic as the An-da-shealladh or ‘the two sights’, those in possession of this extraordinary power are said to foresee future events like the death of neighbour, the arrival of strangers into the community, the success or failure of a fishing trip. From the late seventeenth century onwards, rumours of this strange faculty attracted the attention of numerous scientists, travel writers, antiquarians, poets and artists. Focusing on the nineteenth century, this book examines second sight in relation to mesmerism and phrenology, modern spiritualism and anthropology, romance literature and folklorism and finally, psychical research and Celtic mysticism. Tracing the migration of a supposedly ‘Scottish’ tradition through various sites of nineteenth-century popular culture, it explores questions of nationhood and identity alongside those posed by supernatural phenomena.

More books from Palgrave Macmillan UK

Cover of the book Psychology from the Standpoint of the Subject by Elsa Richardson
Cover of the book The Challenges of Vulnerability by Elsa Richardson
Cover of the book Modernism and Nostalgia by Elsa Richardson
Cover of the book Killing on Command by Elsa Richardson
Cover of the book Shakespeare's 'Whores' by Elsa Richardson
Cover of the book Rankings and the Reshaping of Higher Education by Elsa Richardson
Cover of the book Globalizing Employment Relations by Elsa Richardson
Cover of the book Remembering the German Democratic Republic by Elsa Richardson
Cover of the book Central Bank Ratings by Elsa Richardson
Cover of the book The Postfeminist Biopic by Elsa Richardson
Cover of the book Reading History in Children's Books by Elsa Richardson
Cover of the book Africans Investing in Africa by Elsa Richardson
Cover of the book Governance Transfer by Regional Organizations by Elsa Richardson
Cover of the book How to Measure Digital Marketing by Elsa Richardson
Cover of the book Teaching Shakespeare Beyond the Centre by Elsa Richardson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy