Description
Oliver Goldsmith’s only novel The Vicar of Wakefield (1766) has been loved by generations of readers and remains one of the most popular works of eighteenth-century literature. It depicts domestic life, socio-economic faultlines, morality, and aesthetic conventions of the time in a sentimental and satirical mould. This unique perspective on the ethical, political, and aesthetic ethos of late eighteenth-century England makes it indispensable for understanding the evolution of late modern literature, culture, and society. This edition of The Vicar of Wakefield presents the complete and unabridged text to its readers. It has an introduction that places the work in the various contexts of its production, circulation, and reception. It also contains relevant extracts from “The Book of Job” that merit comparison and contrasts with Goldsmith’s novel. Additionally, there are four critical essays in this edition that present contemporary viewpoints about The Vicar of Wakefield.
