A Double Vision A Study Of Disraeli’s Trilogy

Abstract

The thesis offers a study of the double vision of Disraeli, which results from his dual position in the Victorian society both as part of the dominant order and as a marginalized other. This doubleness is rooted in his Jewish origin and his Anglo­ centeredness. The thesis studies Disraeli's trilogy: Coningsby or The New Generation, Sybil or The Two Nations and Tancred or The New Crusade as representations of colonial discourse using the insights of modem literary theory especially postcolonial criticism. Though, considered an "Other" by the Victorians, Disraeli places himself literary on the side of the dominant and identifies himself as an English imperialist figure. The thesis, in four chapters together with an introduction and a conclusion, offers an analysis of Disraeli's double vision and its juxtaposed representation in the novels highlighting the multiple levels of signification involved in this representation.