Jill Franks Libri

Focusing on the interplay between literature and women's movements, this study examines the works of Irish and British women novelists across three historical periods. It highlights how Elizabeth Bowen's The Last September captures the complexities of gender and ethnic identity amid the decline of the Anglo-Irish Ascendancy, while Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway explores the intersections of class and gender within the political context of suffrage and socialism in England.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of northern England's Lake District and moors, the narrative follows a middle-aged English teacher on a transformative 192-mile hike along the Coast to Coast trail. As she journeys, literary figures from classics like Gollum and Jane Eyre accompany her thoughts, enriching her experience. Initially misanthropic, she gradually embraces the beauty around her, while grappling with her identity, reminiscent of both Frankenstein and his creature. This blend of travel and literary exploration offers a unique perspective on self-discovery.

The narrative explores the comic archetype of the Little Man, exemplified in the works of Woody Allen and Charlie Chaplin, who confronts life's injustices. Through a blend of pathos, irony, and slapstick humor, both characters embody absurdist traits: Chaplin's Tramp, a bumbling yet resourceful figure, contrasts with Allen's introspective fool, known for his quick romantic entanglements and philosophical musings. The book delves into themes of alienation and resilience in an indifferent world.