Literature Network » William Makepeace Thackeray

Thackeray's memorials of defeat. (author William Makepeace Thackeray)

Content courtesy of

From: Contemporary Review
Date: 19930301
Author:Bruce, Donald

William Makepeace Thackeray is a writer known for the minuteness of his observation and his distaste for romantic fiction. His work reflects his spirit, his physical condition and can even be said to be autobiographical. In fact, his three severe illnesses and his disastrous relationships figure prominently in his writings. Thackeray used defeat as a means for preventing the disillusion which accomplished desires can bring, thus allowing dreams to continue.

'HE did not invent much, I fancy,' wrote Thackeray in his brief but admiring account of Smollett.(1) The same may be supposed of ...

Read the rest of this article with a Free Trial at HighBeam Research.

Other Articles on William Makepeace Thackeray

About Our Articles: We've partnered with Highbeam Research to provide these article excerpts for your research needs. However, due to copyright laws, we cannot publish the whole article. To view these articles in full length you'll need to use the link above to access the free trial at Highbeam.