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Historical Fantasies and Realities in "Poldark"'s Britain with Dr. Julie Taddeo

Historical Fantasies and Realities in "Poldark"'s Britain with Dr. Julie Taddeo


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Why does Cornwall have such a special place in our historical imagination in the twenty-first-century and the current age of Brexit? Why does the TV series “Poldark”, dubbed “the new Downton Abbey,” so appeal to twenty-first-century audiences and how can we use it to understand both the larger world of Georgian England and our own? This seminar will explore this period of history, through the lens of this well-known series (and a comparison with the earlier TV adaptation from 1975-77). 
The popular success of the TV period drama, "Poldark" was due to much more than the shirtless appeal of its leading man. Many, for sure, enjoyed taking in the sight of Aidan Turner, who stars as Captain Ross Poldark and was dubbed by the media, a “Sunday night crumpet,” as scenes that depict his shirtless scything went viral. But this TV show about life in late eighteenth-century Cornwall, England, isn't just about a pretty face. Its representation of late eighteenth-century Britain captures the dawn of a modern age, detailing the world of mining, Parliamentary politics, the changing class system, and innovations in medicine, side by side with the proper amount of romance, intrigue, dueling, and tragedy we've come to expect from our Sunday night television. 
Based on the series of novels by Winston Graham, published between 1945-2002, “Poldark” follows the titular hero upon his return to Cornwall from the war in the American colonies, offering intense drama and a sweeping depiction of life in England during that era. From his marriage to his kitchen maid, Demelza, to his ongoing rivalry with the “upstart” George Warleggan, Ross Poldark proves to be a complex hero who sometimes commits questionable deeds. 
This talk will look at the larger world in which Captain Poldark lives, works, and loves, examining its industrialization, banking, mining, and politics, and the plight of women and the poor in England during that era. We’ll also look at fan obsession with all things “Poldark,” which has caused Cornwall to become the most visited destination in the UK (pre-pandemic), actually prompting the local tourist board (pre-Covid) to beg travelers to go elsewhere. 
Led by an expert on Modern British cultural history, this seminar will revisit a much-loved TV series and the period of dramatic history it represented. Designed to inform and educate, participants will emerge with a greater understanding of what we can learn from a historical perspective from this celebrated series.

Dr. Julie Taddeo is Research Professor of History at University of Maryland. Her area of expertise is Modern British social and cultural history. She has published several books on such topics as the Bloomsbury Group, Steampunk, British period drama television, and reality TV.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
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Margaret (Jersey City, US)
Poldark

Dr. Taddeo’s knowledge about her subject was impressive. Her presentation was excellent. I have not seen Poldark yet but I’m now very excited to watch it.

O
Owen Connolly (Glasgow, GB)

Guest did not leave comment

S
Shirley Pascal (Northridge, US)
Great presentation and extremely informative.

Very much enjoyed the class. I now want to go back to relive the whole Poldark series with a new perspective that I got from the information learned through this class. Instructor was succinct and informative, and used good visuals.

S
Suzette Shelmire (Oxford, US)
Cornwall!

Thank you Julie for the wonderful historical/entertaining "conversation" About Cornwall. I do love 18th century history . You made it so "alive" for me. I do like Poldark but I also like gilbert and Sullivan. Someday I want to go to Penzance and Lands End!

D
Debbie W (Gettysburg, US)
Poldark's Britain

Wonderful breakdown of topics during the time period. Dr. Taddeo is enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the time period and the Poldark novels. Wonderful presentation!

Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
100%
(7)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
M
Margaret (Jersey City, US)
Poldark

Dr. Taddeo’s knowledge about her subject was impressive. Her presentation was excellent. I have not seen Poldark yet but I’m now very excited to watch it.

O
Owen Connolly (Glasgow, GB)

Guest did not leave comment

S
Shirley Pascal (Northridge, US)
Great presentation and extremely informative.

Very much enjoyed the class. I now want to go back to relive the whole Poldark series with a new perspective that I got from the information learned through this class. Instructor was succinct and informative, and used good visuals.

S
Suzette Shelmire (Oxford, US)
Cornwall!

Thank you Julie for the wonderful historical/entertaining "conversation" About Cornwall. I do love 18th century history . You made it so "alive" for me. I do like Poldark but I also like gilbert and Sullivan. Someday I want to go to Penzance and Lands End!

D
Debbie W (Gettysburg, US)
Poldark's Britain

Wonderful breakdown of topics during the time period. Dr. Taddeo is enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the time period and the Poldark novels. Wonderful presentation!