Play Up and Play the Game (1973) examines the type of fictional hero most embodied in the work and character, poetry and philosophy of Sir Henry Newbolt. ?Newbolt Man?, imbued with the spirit of fairplay, loyalty, fearlessness, conformity (while remaining slightly philistine and sexless), can be traced in the work of Rider Haggard, Conan Doyle, Edgar Wallace, Anthony Hope and P.C. Wren. The book traces his development from the Victorian schoolboy (Tom Brown?s School Days and Kipling) to the twentieth-century secret agent (Buchan?s Richard Hannay), and on to his demise in Sheriff?s Journey?s End and Aldington?s Death of a Hero.

Table of Contents:

Introduction ? The Nature of Newbolt Man. 1. Christian Socialism and Muscular Christianity 2. Penny Dreadfuls and the Ballantyne Boy 3. Schoolboy Story Heroes 4. Boy Heroes and Imperial History 5. Newbolt Man and the Historical Novels of Adventure 6. White Man?s Burden 7. Detectives, Secret Agents and Demobilized Officers 8. The Aftermath of War 9. Newbolt Man: Reality and Summary

Literature in general, reference works

History of literature

Literary theory

Epics, narrative poems

Further readings in literature

Literature in general, reference works (charity campaign)

History of literature (charity campaign)

Literary theory (charity campaign)

Epics, narrative poems (charity campaign)

Further readings in literature (charity campaign)

Play Up and Play the Game