BRITISH LITERARY CLUBS AND SOCIETIES BETWEEN THE 18TH – 20TH CENTURIES
RRSS 2024 No. 26 - Romanian Review of Social Sciences
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Authors:
• George Costin RUSU -
Keywords: Literary clubs and societies, British literature, British collective mind, cultural institution, cultural identity
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Abstract:
Rooted in the 17th century, when the guilds started to organise in England, and then developing into social and professional societies and associations in the 18th and 19th centuries, these clubs and societies have served as sanctuaries for people of similar social standings, providing a space for fellowship, networking, and developing ideas and thoughts with fellows sharing the same concerns. While the main purpose of these literary clubs and societies was to offer a friendly and professional environment to validate the same concerns, they also played a crucial role in shaping the collective mentality of their members, influencing everything, from political opinions to social behaviours. This analysis explores the phenomenon of group mentality as expressed within the context of British literary clubs and societies, examining how these exclusive environments stimulated a sense of unity, conformity, and shared identity among their members.