In eighteenth-century Ireland, a privileged class of Anglo-Irish landowners known as the “Protestant Ascendancy” lived on great estates, with the mostly-Catholic Irish as their tenants and servants. Maria Edgeworth was part of this Anglo-Irish aristocracy. Castle Rackrent, her best known novel, satirizes the failures and follies of her Anglo-Irish peers, their mismanagement of their estates, and their abuse of their Irish tenants. The narrator of Castle Rackrent is Thady Quirk, whose family has served on the Rackrent estate for generations. Thady relates the life stories of four successive lords of Castle Rackrent and how their individual character and personality affect the lives and families that depend on them. Castle Rackrent was one of the first historical novels written in English, and Walter Scott later cited it as inspiration for his own Scottish historical novels. Edgeworth included two sets of explanatory notes on aspects of Irish life and culture for her English readers, footnotes in the main text and a “glossary” added in the second edition. These have been merged into a single set of endnotes in this Standard Ebooks edition. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.

Embark on a journey through Irish history and satire with Maria Edgeworth's ""Castle Rackrent."". This engaging novel provides a vivid portrayal of the social and political landscape of 18th-century Ireland, seen through the eyes of a witty and insightful narrator. As Edgeworth's narrative unfolds, uncover the humorous and critical examination of the English landlord system in Ireland. The story offers a rich tapestry of characters and events that reflect the complexities of Irish society during this period. But here's a question that will keep you intrigued: How does satire reveal the underlying truths about societal norms and inequalities? Edgeworth's sharp wit and keen observations invite readers to reflect on the nature of power and privilege. Experience the charm and satire of ""Castle Rackrent,"" where each chapter presents a new facet of Irish life and landlord folly. Edgeworth’s masterful storytelling brings to light the quirks and contradictions of her characters, making for an entertaining and thought-provoking read. Are you ready to explore the humorous and critical insights of ""Castle Rackrent""? Delve into short, engaging passages that illuminate the nuances of Irish society and satire. The novel's rich narrative offers both entertainment and reflection, making it a classic of Irish literature. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this landmark work of satire. Purchase ""Castle Rackrent"" today, and enjoy Maria Edgeworth's insightful and entertaining take on Irish history and society. Seize the chance to own a piece of literary history. Get ""Castle Rackrent"" now and dive into a classic tale of wit and social commentary.

The only edition of this 1800 novel--widely regarded as the first historical novel--to include supporting materials on both the importance of Maria Edgeworth as a writer and the influence of contemporary history on this novel.

On the eve of his coming of age, a young Lord begins to see the truth of his parents' lives: his mother cannot buy her way into society no matter how hard he tries, and his father is being ruined by her continued attempts. The young Lord then travels to his home in Ireland, encountering adventure on the way, and discovers that the native residents are being exploited in his father's absence.

Essay from the year 2013 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 17, University of Rennes 2, language: English, abstract: Maria Edgeworth's Caste Rackrent was published in 1800 at the moment of political union between Ireland and Great Britain. This short novel was the first of her Irish tales. Set before 1782, a momentous period for the independence of the Dublin parliament, Thady Quirk, a servant in a big house tells us of four generations of the Rackrent family. As the Irish Catholic narrator, he recounts the decline of this Protestant landowning family who stems from Maria Edgeworth's own background. Thady's stories describe how the Irish middle class rose because of mismanagement by the Protestant elite. The novel represents a key moment in the enlargement of the autonomy of women’s authorship. Narrated from a colonial point of view, Castle Rackrent indicates Edgeworth's hybridity in regard to her “Anglo-Irishness” and heralds the beginnings of a reflection on Irish nationhood and the salient function of women in the story. My analysis will revolve around the ways in which women in Castle Rackrent demonstrate ambivalence in terms of their presence as victims and as characters whose socio-political weight indicates their evolution. Emphasis will be laid on how women are regarded as victims of a patriarchal system in which, at the same time, they use as a model to acquire economic independence while the landlords fall from grace and lose their prestige.