Analysis Of Henry Rider Haggard About Fiction

Henry Rider Haggard’s piece titled “About Fiction” exemplifies the major concerns of writing in the 19th century, mainly the production of unsatisfactory literature due to the lack of realism. This evaluation will focus on his view, argument, major ideas and political engagement.

Haggard use of language throughout is critical towards fiction written in styles that are not English Fiction, even referring to readers of sub-par literature as “like a diseased ostrich.”(pg173)Through using pictorial phrases as such, he creates emotive responses in the reader which strengthen his point of view towards the lack of quality in literature. He uses inclusive language to alley himself with the intended reader- who he suggests is the educated English male-, by referring to “our fellow-countrymen who, we are told” focus on politics rather than literature(pg172).

Haggard’s view of literature is shown through his writing, as he believes that schools of writing other than English Fiction are “unreal namby-pamby nonsense with which the market is flooded.” (pg177) By stating that the American

The takeover of America is referred to critically, as “America has scarcely produced a writer of first class,” (pg175) comparing English literature to American. This is representative of the fall of the English Empire, as the takeover of America monopolises the English, as “most of the books patronized by this enormous population are stolen from the English authors.” Haggard also seems to idealise the English idea of purity, as he spurns the Naturalistic fiction which presents “sexual passion [as] the most powerful lever with which to stir the mind of men.”(pg176) This also relates to the idea of liberalism, as Haggard suggests that “what is wanted in English fiction is a higher ideal and more freedom.”