Helen Simpson: theme and form in contemporary British fiction

This project is an in-depth investigation of the entire oeuvre of British writer Helen Simpson. An analysis of the major thematic concerns of Simpson’s six short story collections will go hand in hand with an analysis of her specific use of the short story form. The study intends to trace the development of Simpson’s oeuvre in terms of key themes and shifting focus, her use of specific formal and structuring devices, and her appeal to feminist and other contemporary ideologies. The result of this investigation will be to situate Simpson’s work within the contexts of contemporary British fiction and the tradition of the short story.