NOTE: "Originally Published in 53 parts in the ILady's MagazineI, over an unprecendented period of nearly eleven years (Aug 1794 - Nov. 1794, Apr 1798-May 1805). The story, written by a reader, was abandoned after three parts, and resumed by a voluneteer, "A. Percy," in 1798 (see Mayo, Item 913)." -- Garside/Schöwerling, p 263; 1808:10

 

Critical essay on The Monks and the Robbers, by Gavin Healey

The Monks and Robbers: A Tale of the Fifteenth Century is a interesting tale with a mysterious background. The tale was written over eleven years and is thought to be written by numerous authors. Mary Meeke is thought to have started the story when initially printed in Lady's Magazine (Aug 1794). Mary Meeke is known to have written "popular fiction" in the nineteenth century and her writing relates certain aspects of historical significance. The novel was printed in entirety in 54 sections by the end of its run in 1808. The story itself, set in a fairly recent history, is notable because of historical implications. The story also involves aspects of social order, religion, and state function within fifteenth century Europe.

By involving different authors a story takes on different dimensions. Because this story involves speculation of such, the analysis is skewed. Mary Meeke began this story in 1794 with certain intentions, but by the end there is question to whether these intentions followed through. A second author is thought to have picked up the story in 1798. Without this finishing authors relations to Mrs. Meeke there could be some loss of her original intentions. By reading the story to conclusion the suspicion of difference could be drawn because of a fractured plot line. The protagonists and antagonists are numerous and confusing. The plot jumps back and forth, adding to the confusion and continuity of the story. Meeke could have had the ending in mind, but this depends on when she relinquished work on the novel. Was her input finished after 1798 or did she consult throughout? Due to the limited number of female and male relationships from paternal to friendship it involves, a conclusion could have been assumed through the novel's succession. Without knowing the relationship of the authors the plot can simply be viewed as printed.

There are certain tools that Gothic and Romantic authors commonly shared, Mary Meeke was receptive of these ideas. Her plots are noted as usually containing wealth with inheritance and use of natural settings. The story was envisioned as gloomy and nature takes on the form of dark tempest. The attention to detail of structural features and the landscape fits easily with other Gothic authors of the time such as one of the Shelley's. Because this story is set in Italy there are social implications about that country. The characters who are not monks or part of the bandetti, a robber band, are almost solely of noble birth. The monks maintain the protagonist's action and become somewhat evil characters. This would be a "popular" convention Meeke might have adopted to pander to anti-Catholic beliefs in England. The acquisition of an inheritance and property are the motivator of the plot. The nobility is given a very virtuous depiction much like an Arthurian Romance in the fifteenth century. In their deeds and regalia, the nobility seems to have little clear sentiment about the state's political function perhaps because the main protagonist, Tancred, is of noble birth.

The novel is complicated also because of many structural anomalies. The author/s, setting, and plot, all have pieces of a "popular" writing of the period. Problems arise in placing implications upon contemporary England during the publication because of the setting. The story itself doesn't implement the Italians or English in a political characterization. If any the author has any particualr political affirmation, it is hard to discover because there are a limited number of comments about the social order from nobility to poverty. The bandetti are diabolical, but are still given an interesting portrayal. By the end, the robbers are seen as people who are evil in their design, but are merely trying to survive. The monks are horrible characters who manipulate the world to their liking. The nobles treat everyone except the bandetti with sympathy and respect. It may never be known if this was Meeke's intention or that of another.

The construction of the story is focused mainly upon a clearly built plot. Tancred commits many evil deeds, including killing, under the advice of the monks. The plans are carried out in order to gain an inheritance and convince the lovely heroine Juliet to marry Tancred. This story reads with extremes built into the characters; the villains are profoundly evil and the heroes are profoundly good. The author's intentions were probably to please a audience and create sympathy for the beguiled, but could also be viewed as fantasy. The Gothic elements of dangerous storms, dark castles, and rugged terrain, give the tale a sense of mythology. The Romantic elements make the story timeless in its appeal.

The Monks and Robbers: A Tale of the Fifteenth Century is a confusing when it comes to establishing its actual place in history. Due to the numerous authors who may have been involved, and to the complicated plot line and setting, the story is hard to place. It would be interesting to know the public's reception of this type of story, but there appear to have been no detailed critical reviews. Without this information the story remains a sort of escapist romance, but there one that remains very hard to categorize. Although the scattered chronology and extensive laments by characters make the story seem longer than it actually is, it is still an entertaining read.

© Gavin Healey, University of Nebraska, December 2002