Lessons from Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall
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Abstract
Hilary Mantel’s two historical novels, Wolf Hall (2009) and Bring Up the Bodies (2012),describe the rise of Thomas Cromwell in Henry VIII’s court. Mantel’s historical research forthese two novels was extensive. She used primary sources such as letters, wills, law court records, as well as non-traditional sources: songs, dances, paintings, furniture, clothes, and architecture. She also extended her research to explore the lives of numerous other minor historical characters. Mantel stresses that she has employed a critical analysis of her sources. To illustrate Cromwell’s personal life, where there is a shortage of data, she relies a great deal on historical interpretation. Since Mantel tells the story from Cromwell’s point of view, the novelsdo not seek to be objective. Rather they vividly portray one possible understanding of Henry VIII’s England.
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References
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