The Tramp in British Literature, 1850—1950

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvi

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Luke Lewin Davies

   Pages 1-85

3. Reverse Discourse Tramp Memoirs

   • Luke Lewin Davies

   Pages 87-226

4. Reverse Discourse Tramp Fiction

   • Luke Lewin Davies

   Pages 227-321

5. Conclusion

   • Luke Lewin Davies

   Pages 323-329

6. Back Matter

   Pages 331-344

   PDF

Shortlisted for the Literary Encyclopedia Book Prize 2022, The Tramp in British Literature, 1850–1950 offers a unique account of the emergence of a new conception of homelessness in the mid-nineteenth century. After arguing that the emergence of the figure of the tramp reflects the evolution of capitalism and disciplinary society in this period, The Tramp in British Literature uncovers a neglected body of "tramp literature" written by memoir and fiction writers, many of whom were themselves homeless. In analysing these works, it presents select texts as a unique and ignored contribution to a wider radical discourse defined by its opposition to a wider societal preoccupation with the need to be productive. the figure of the tramp reflects the evolution of capitalism and disciplinary society in this period, The Tramp in British Literature uncovers a neglected body of "tramp literature" written by memoir and fiction writers, many of whom were themselves homeless. In analysing these works, it presents select texts as a unique and ignored contribution to a wider radical discourse defined by its opposition to a wider societal preoccupation with the need to be productive. the figure of the tramp reflects the evolution of capitalism and disciplinary society in this period, The Tramp in British Literature uncovers a neglected body of "tramp literature" written by memoir and fiction writers, many of whom were themselves homeless. In analysing these works, it presents select texts as a unique and ignored contribution to a wider radical discourse defined by its opposition to a wider societal preoccupation with the need to be productive. the figure of the tramp reflects the evolution of capitalism and disciplinary society in this period, The Tramp in British Literature uncovers a neglected body of "tramp literature" written by memoir and fiction writers, many of whom were themselves homeless. In analysing these works, it presents select texts as a unique and ignored contribution to a wider radical discourse defined by its opposition to a wider societal preoccupation with the need to be productive. the figure of the tramp reflects the evolution of capitalism and disciplinary society in this period, The Tramp in British Literature uncovers a neglected body of "tramp literature" written by memoir and fiction writers, many of whom were themselves homeless. In analysing these works, it presents select texts as a unique and ignored contribution to a wider radical discourse defined by its opposition to a wider societal preoccupation with the need to be productive.

• Tramp literature
• Tramp fiction
• Tramp life-writing
• Social exploration literature
• Life Writing
• Victorian Literature
• Homelessness
• Poverty
• Vagrancy
• Vagabondage
• Michel Foucault
• Alain Badiou
• W.H. Davies
• Bart Kennedy
• Morley Roberts
• John Worby
• Chris Massie
• Jim Phelan
• Liam O'Flaherty
• William Wordsworth
• Charles Dickens
• George Gissing
• George Orwell
• Walter Brierley
• Ethel Carnie Holdsworth
• James Hanley

“It is an extraordinarily comprehensive study of tramp writing in the nineteenth century. Davies also incorporates an impressively concise history of the genre from the sixteenth century to the middle of the twenty-first. This readable and authoritative account encompasses sound theoretical analysis and detailed explorations of a selection of memoirs and literary treatments. Davies’s writing is succinct, almost scientific at times.” (Ana Alicia Garza, The Times Literary Supplement, the-tls.co.uk, December 2, 2022)

“Davies’ book is the most comprehensive text available on tramp fiction, biography and autobiography in the many different forms that Davies presents it. … I will have to read this book more than once to fully appreciate its scope and content, including the countless delightful anecdotes from the subject’s of Davies curiosity. Among other things, this text has left me with a formidable list of book titles that I must now locate and read to further enrich my own appreciation of vagabond literature.” (Ian Cutler, Compulsive Reader, compulsivereader.com, March 16, 2022)

“Davies’s book is valuable from the point of view of the number of novels and memoirs he considers in his fascinating and wide-ranging survey of tramp literature. Most of us will never get the opportunity to read the books, and perhaps wouldn’t be keen to do so. They were not all masterpieces. But he makes each book seem relevant within his chosen framework and provides a great deal of information about them and their writers in good, direct prose.” (Jim Burns, THE PENNILESS PRESS ON-LINE, pennilesspress.co.uk, February, 2023)

“Full of interest and populated by wonderful and sometimes hateful figures, anecdote, humour and sadness.” (Jason Crimp, The Orwell Society Journal, September, 2022)

“Essenital reading.” (Kirsty Allison, Ambit Magazine, November, 2022)

“The first comprehensive survey of trampdom over the last 600 years. Uniquely informative and readable.” (John Sutherland, Emeritus Lord Northcliffe Professor of English, University College London)

“Essential reading for anyone interested in the wider currents of working-class life writing and fiction.” (Nick Hubble, Professor of English, Brunel University London)

“With its abundance of arresting examples and careful theoretical analyses, this book will interest all who ponder proletarian literature’s radical political possibilities.” (Florence Boos, Professor of English, University of Iowa)

“An absorbing study, meticulously detailed and contextualised, on an important topic.” (John Goodridge, Emeritus Professor of English, Nottingham Trent University)

“A remarkable service for scholars and students alike, raising pressing, timely questions about the ideology of productiveness.” (Matthew Beaumont, Professor of English, University College London) 

• University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

  Luke Lewin Davies