Timeline: Chrysal

Beginning in the early 18th century (1709): The “it” narrative 

The “it” narrative, also referred to as the novel of circulation, is a fiction in which the narrator or main character is an animal or an inanimate object. These types of narratives are, typically, told from the perspective of the animal or object. “It” narratives are also called novels of circulation because the object or animal that is the narrator is circulated throughout society, giving us numerous perspectives within the novel. An early example of this form was published in 1709 by Charles Gildon and was called “The Golden Spy.”

The “it” narrative is significant to our understanding of Chrysal because this gives us insight into some of the philosophical debates at the time. For example, it was an ongoing debate during the eighteenth century that objects, not our minds, are responsible for our experiences. Not only that, but that objects influence our thinking simply with their being. Individuals of that time were, also, interested in how humans differ from objects or animals. Also, Chrysal’s circulation through society gives us an important portrayal of social and cultural trends of the time. Understanding the “it” narrative helps us to see that this form of novel was an important
fad of the eighteenth century. Learning about this type of narrative is significant to our understanding of what people thought about objects and animals during this time, as well as, why they would even be interested in reading such a story.


Late 17th century through the 18th century: Rise of British consumerism 

Consumerism in 17th and 18th century Britain consisted of the decline of exchanging services for other services or goods for other goods. This type of society led to the decline of trading between individuals or small businesses and the introduction of money in exchange for products. Consumerism put an end to the feudal society in Britain and transformed it into a society concerned with monetary value. According to an article entitled “A World of Goods? The ‘Consumption Turn’ and Eighteenth-Century British History,” by Jonathan White, “The key claim made in The Birth of a Consumer Society was that eighteenth-century Britain, and England in particular, underwent a revolutionary transformation that saw the creation of a mass market in consumer goods and the emergence of modern spending patterns based on consumption for pleasure rather than need” (93).

This is event is significant to the novel Chrysal because this transformation to consumerism threatened to corrupt the virtues of individuals and Britain’s society as whole. As we see in Chrysal, individuals become so absorbed with the status and/or power they can receive from objects and/or money that they become corrupt. Consumerism was thought to be linked to the loss of one’s virtues and submission to their vices or pleasures. Before consumerism, there was a clear distinction between classes, where only the extremely rich had materialistic things. After consumerism, however, we are uncertain who were truly wealthy and social classes diminish because the majority was able to purchase material goods.

1750s Focus: The Age of Enlightenment (1650s-1780)

Classified by many as the "long 18th century" the Age of Reason seemed to come in waves, having different effects on Britain throughout each decade. In the 1750s specifically, the Enlightenment brought a great intellectual kind of reform to Britain. Through the work of many philosophers an intellects throughout the Age,all of these new ideas seemed to come together around the 1750s. Diderot’s “Encyclopédie” (1751-77) was published around this time and it was a culmination of a great deal of the "new" knowledge that had been found. The products and ideas of the Enlightenment had seen enough exposure by the 1750s that they were truly having an effect. By this time, many major cities were now creating and developing more of an intellectual infrastructure. Universities, reading societies, libraries, periodicals, museums and more were becoming more common and viewed with a greater value than they had been previously. Along with the development of intellectual infrastructure, a more liberalistic view of political theory was being debated and discussed by many, which could be traced back to the ideas of John Locke earlier in the period. 

October 25, 1760: George III Takes the Thrown

George III was a new transition for Britain, as not only was he the first English speaking King but he also brought what many believed to be political controversy to the thrown. At many times and through many different voices, George III was regarded by the people as completing his work and tasks as a King in an "unconstitutional manner". At times, the people believed he was using his royal power in ways that were not ethical. Being the first of the Hanoverian kings to be raised in Britain, “Farmer George” was very passionate about agriculture as well. Under his reign, Britain emerged as a leading European power, holding great influence. In some ways his work was viewed as a continuation of William Pitt’s work, but he approached things in a different manor; George III wasn’t one to go along with widespread ideas or prejudices.

1756: William Pitt

William Pitt became the informal leader of the British Cabinet in 1756 and led Great Britain during the Seven Years War. He is most recognized for his leadership during the Seven Years War and his complete drive to defeat France. Pitt's political career would be publicly recognized, as portrayed in Chrysal. He is one of the few moral characters in Chrysal, possibly because he was very popular with the people so making him ethical was realistic in Johnstone's view. Clearly Pitt's life and political career affected Johnstone's writing in this novel, one could even speculate that the novel works as good propaganda for Pitt's career. Learning about Pitt and his stances helps shed light on the political structure of the period as well as Johnstone's own views.

1753: Jewish Naturalisation Act

Jewish Naturalization Act would allow Jewish people to become citizens of England without taking a Christian communion.The bill was released in 1753 and repealed in 1754 due to opposition from the rest of the country. This act of repealing this shows the heated anti-semitism at the time which was on a wide scale throughout England. The act itself is not discussed in Chrysal, however there are lingering anti-semitic feelings portrayed in the novel. There is a character called Aminadab which is stated in the footnotes as being a satirical name for a Quaker or a Jew and in this case it is meant as Jewish, which is known because he is thought to be Samson Gideon, the Jewish financier who helped England's stock market. The anti-semitism expressed in many places in the novel is reminiscent of the anti-semitism that caused the repeal of the Jewish Naturalisation Act.