Unbounded Attachment

Unbounded Attachment explores the works of various British women writers, spanning from Mary Wollstonecraft to Jane Austen, and examines the political significance of the emotional language they employ. The book highlights how sentiment serves as a unifying force in the diverse and often fragmented society of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. It delves into the ways in which this language of feeling is not only a tool for personal expression but also a means of engaging with the broader political landscape of the time.

Charlotte Smith's long poem The Emigrants is a key focus, illustrating how the language of sentiment can respond to the turbulent political climate, particularly during the onset of the war with France in 1793. Similarly, Mary Robinson’s writings navigate the delicate balance between admiration for the French queen and her liberal political views, showcasing how sentiment can bridge personal and commercial interests. For writers like Amelia Alderson Opie and Elizabeth Inchbald, expressing emotion allows them to reconcile the pressures of achieving commercial success with their social and political commitments.

The book also reflects on the admiration William Godwin had for Wollstonecraft’s comprehensive sense of ‘unbounded attachment’ to humanity. Posthumous tributes, alongside fictional portrayals inspired by her legacy, underscore the profound emotional connections she fostered, both in her private life and her political stance. Jane Austen’s novels further exemplify this theme, as they grant readers insight into the inner lives of her heroines, revealing how their sensibilities navigate the complexities of their social environments.