The myths and the portrayal of New Zealand national character in nineteenth century pioneer novels

Abstract

Nineteenth Century New Zealand novels, of which there are a considerable number, have been largely neglected by historians, as by literary critics. The novels may have no literary merit, nor are they reliable as documentary information about New Zealand society, but they are a potentially rich source of contemporary attitudes. It is the intention of this thesis to examine certain nineteenth century novels in this light - to explore the images which they contain, and in particular, the portrayal of pioneering men and women. The thesis assumes that such an investigation will not reveal what pioneering New Zealanders were really like, but, it will reveal the images and myths which nineteenth century New Zealanders had of their society and their people. The authors of these novels show much agreement in their stereotyping of the New Zealand woman and the New Zealand man. The technique used is to study a number of pioneer novels - asking certain questions of them, comparing them and then drawing together what the majority of authors say on certain topics. It is my belief that through taking this consensus of opinion we eliminate the peculiarities of individual authors and achieve a broadly-based picture of the "mythical" New Zealand person and the society in which he/she lived.