Two worlds meeting: cultural interaction in Rosemary Sutcliff's The Eagle of the Ninth

Cobb, Jessica (2013). Two worlds meeting: cultural interaction in Rosemary Sutcliff's The Eagle of the Ninth. University of Birmingham. M.Phil.

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Abstract

This dissertation analyses the way that Rosemary Sutcliff’s The Eagle of the Ninth demonstrates the influence of its contemporary socio-political and cultural background in the depiction of the interaction between Romans and Britons. It is argued that the novel rejects the stereotypical depiction of interaction between different cultures, in which the invading or colonizing culture is seen as assuming a superior position and inspiring change, often regarded as improvement, in the indigenous culture. Sutcliff’s rejection of this attitude demonstrates that the novel anticipates modern concepts of interaction between cultures, which have developed from the stereotypical view. Comparison with the 2011 film adaptation, The Eagle will show that the film (made some fifty years after the novel's publication, and in an entirely different socio-political context) reverts to the stereotypes rejected by Sutcliff. The study concludes that the socio-political background influences the depiction of Romano-British interaction in both film and novel, and argues that both must be considered within their contemporary context

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Phil.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Phil.

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