National Identity and the British Empire : the Image of Saint Paul’s Cathedral

Author

Rebecca PierceFollow

Date of Award

2004

Degree Name

Geography

College

College of Liberal Arts

Type of Degree

M.A.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

James Leonard

Second Advisor

Sarah Brinegar

Third Advisor

Larry Jarrett

Abstract

This paper considers the historical geography of place and identity construction through the case of English Nationalism and the British Empire as encapsulated in London’s Saint Paul’s Cathedral. The research explores several themes: 1) the British Empire’s use of Saint Paul’s Cathedral as a representation, both physically and symbolically, of the ideals and power of the empire; 2) the British Empire’s employment of the Cathedral as the emotional and ideological center of national identity and imperialism in the English population; and 3) the British Empire's manipulation of the image of Saint Paul’s Cathedralas a national and religious landmark. Data analysis includes the examination of literary and visual depictions of the historical landscape from 1675 to the present. In sum, this research seeks to demonstrate the use of Saint Paul’s Cathedral as a representation of the British Empire and its subsequent employment to spread sentiments of imperialism and national identity to the English population.

Subject

St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England)

Subject

Nationalism - Great Britain

Recommended Citation

Pierce, Rebecca, "National Identity and the British Empire : the Image of Saint Paul’s Cathedral" (2004). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 136.
https://mds.marshall.edu/etd/136