Review of Patrick Brantlinger, Rule of Darkness: British Literature and Imperialism

Abstract

Claims Brantlinger’s study is a masterpiece of scholarship, documenting the development of the British sense of imperialism especially as it related to affairs in Africa. Believes Brantlinger is adept at applying Foucault’s theory of language to explain how literature contributed to the establishment of ideas about British superiority. Quibbles with Brantlinger about his assessment of Thackeray.