Thresholds of Interpretation

Paratexts turn a text into a book: they are those (textual and non-textual) 'thresholds' the reader comes across when entering the literary world. The preface dedications quotations (or 'motti') cover illustrations blurbs and of course the ever-present titles are among the most well-known ones. This thesis is of particular interest to all students and admirers of 18th-century English literature: the titles motti dedications and prefaces employed by the authors to present their work most favourably to the public not only provide a profound insight into a highly interesting literary field of study but also give an idea of what the literary landscape was like in a century bustling with new ideas and (literary and other) activity.