School of Historical and Philosophical Studies - Theses

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A reasonable share in the beauty of the Earth: William Morris's culture of nature

WILLS, SARA ( 1998)

This thesis explores what William Morris meant when he called for a 'reasonable share in the beauty of the earth' for all. Taking its cue from discussion of Morris's work in the 1980s and 1990s, it concentrates on the ways in which this statement represents a particular aggregation and formulation of ideas about nature. It challenges contemporary analyses that value Morris's work only in light of subsequent events—that uncritically celebrate the 'eco-centric' or 'green' Morris-and argues that it is necessary to explore nineteenth-century contexts for Morris's work. Thus it fills a gap in the understanding of Morris's concept of nature by exploring its historical circumstance: its roots and development, assimilations and transformations. It argues that Morris considered the only way to a full and lasting appreciation of nature, and a 'reasonable share in the beauty of the earth' for all, was through a very anthropocentric concern for humanity.