Approaching Apocalypse
Book Description
Approaching Apocalypse unveils the profound spiritual undercurrents that shaped Victorian literature through its deep connection to biblical apocalyptic themes. Kevin Mills guides readers through an illuminating exploration of how nineteenth-century writers drew upon the powerful imagery and symbolism of the Book of Revelation to address the spiritual tensions of their era.
This scholarly yet accessible work examines five fundamental oppositions that bridge apocalyptic literature and Victorian writing: the boundaries between human and inhuman, the contrast of desert and city, the interplay of what is veiled versus revealed, the tension between temporal time and the eternal, and the relationship between this world and otherworldly realms. Each theme receives careful attention through detailed analysis of diverse Victorian texts, including novels, poetry, theatrical works, sermons, and other spiritual writings.
Mills demonstrates how Victorian authors used apocalyptic language and imagery not merely as literary decoration, but as a means of grappling with profound questions about human nature, divine revelation, and spiritual transformation. The book reveals how these writers found in apocalyptic literature a vocabulary for expressing their deepest concerns about faith, progress, and the ultimate destiny of humanity.
For readers interested in understanding how spiritual themes have influenced literary expression, this work offers valuable insights into the enduring power of apocalyptic vision to illuminate questions of meaning, purpose, and transcendence that continue to resonate today.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 228 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore History and criticism
- ✓ Explore In literature
- ✓ Explore English literature
- ✓ Study Bible from spiritual perspective
- ✓ Explore Influence
- ✓ Explore Apocalypse in literature
- ✓ Explore Bible
- ✓ Explore Literature and society
