modern-vs-ancient-magic
It contrasts the modern revival of English magic by Norrell and Strange with the ancient, more mysterious magic of John Uskglass and his predecessors.
1 chapter across 1 book
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (2004)Susanna Clarke
This chapter is a critical review of Lord Portishead's Essay on the Extraordinary Revival of English Magic, which chronicles the recent history and debates surrounding English magic, particularly focusing on the roles of Mr Norrell and Mr Strange. The narrator challenges Portishead's dismissal of John Uskglass and earlier magical traditions, arguing that modern English magic is fundamentally built upon Uskglass's legacy despite attempts to erase or vilify it. The chapter also critiques the rigid distinctions between 'white' and 'black' magic and calls for a deeper understanding of the mysterious and foundational aspects of English magic.