English Literature in the Age of Disguise

English Literature in the Age of Disguise explores the pervasive theme of disguise, deception, and masked identities in the works of writers from the Restoration through the eighteenth century. The concept of disguise was central to the social and literary fabric of the period, with figures like Fielding and Defoe lamenting the deception inherent in society. Fielding, for example, described the world as a vast masquerade, echoing a sentiment common among writers of the time, including Defoe, who critiqued the age as one of Plot and Deceit. Disguise and masks were more than just thematic elements; they were metaphors for the societal and personal facades that individuals maintained. In the literature of this period, comedies, such as Congreve's The Double Dealer, frequently centered around characters using masks and deceit for social or romantic advantage. Similarly, works like Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and Richardson’s Clarissa employ different forms of disguise and role-playing, reflecting both the moral complexities and the personal struggles of characters.

This book also delves into the role of irony and wit in literature during this time, with many authors using these tools to both entertain and critique society. Writers such as Pope and Swift masterfully employed irony to conceal their true messages, offering a layered critique of contemporary politics, religion, and morality. Irony, according to Lionel Gossman, was a form of disguise in itself, where the external narrative concealed deeper, often more subversive, meanings. Through an exploration of key works like Swift's satirical poetry and Pope's mock-epic verse, the book examines how the era’s emphasis on disguise influenced literary style and the construction of meaning. Additionally, the essays in the collection provide new interpretations of well-known texts, suggesting that the use of disguise and role-playing was not just a narrative device but also a form of social commentary, revealing the moral and political undercurrents of the time. Through these analyses, the book offers a fresh perspective on the literary techniques of the Restoration and eighteenth century, showing how disguise, in both its social and literary manifestations, shaped the era’s cultural and artistic landscape.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1977.