The Limits of New Historicism: Marjorie Levinson’s Interpretation of “Tintern Abbey”

Within the field of New Historicism studies of British Romantic poetry, Marjorie Levinson’s interpretation of William Wordsworth’s “Tintern Abbey” holds a significant position. However, Levinson’s analysis exhibits a notable flaw: her utilization of Gilpin’s texts without adequately considering the ideological backdrop they carry. This oversight neglects the unique historical context of these materials, specifically the prevalent ideology of the “picturesque” and the related phenomenon of picturesque tourism in late 18th-century Britain. By delving into this omission, this paper aims to unveil the inherent paradoxes within the New Historicist methodology itself and further explores the “post-critique” strategies of New Historicism in literary analysis.