Ambition, Fame, and Authorship

The Blazing World

This flow traces the book's contrast between conquest for public fame and creation for inward satisfaction.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Wish for Distinction The Wish for Distinction from "The Blazing World". The Wish for Distinction Ambition Named The Duchess admits that she wants a degree of power and distinction beyond ordinary social rank.

The Wish for Distinction from "The Blazing World". The Wish for Distinction Ambition Named The Duchess admits that she wants a degree of power and distinction beyond ordinary social rank.

The Wish for Distinction Ambition Named The Duchess admits that she wants a degree of power and distinction beyond ordinary social rank. A Central Impulse The confession makes ambition a personal force rather than simply a political vice attributed to rulers.

Conquest Questioned Conquest Questioned from "The Blazing World". Conquest Questioned Material Limits The Spirits point out that a ruler cannot enjoy an entire world at once and that conquest carries danger and burdens.

Conquest Questioned from "The Blazing World". Conquest Questioned Material Limits The Spirits point out that a ruler cannot enjoy an entire world at once and that conquest carries danger and burdens.

Conquest Questioned Material Limits The Spirits point out that a ruler cannot enjoy an entire world at once and that conquest carries danger and burdens. Fame's Uncertainty Even remembered fame has uncertain duration, challenging the promise that heroic action guarantees lasting glory.

Inner Sovereignty Inner Sovereignty from "The Blazing World". Inner Sovereignty A World Within The Duchess chooses to create a world rather than conquer one, shifting ambition from possession to authorship.

Inner Sovereignty from "The Blazing World". Inner Sovereignty A World Within The Duchess chooses to create a world rather than conquer one, shifting ambition from possession to authorship.

Inner Sovereignty A World Within The Duchess chooses to create a world rather than conquer one, shifting ambition from possession to authorship. Private Fulfillment Imagination offers delight and control without the conflicts that attend public government.

The Author's Preference The Author's Preference from "The Blazing World". The Author's Preference Honest Margaret The author prefers the figure of Honest Margaret Newcastle to the renowned conquerors and warriors of ancient history.

The Author's Preference from "The Blazing World". The Author's Preference Honest Margaret The author prefers the figure of Honest Margaret Newcastle to the renowned conquerors and warriors of ancient history.

The Author's Preference Honest Margaret The author prefers the figure of Honest Margaret Newcastle to the renowned conquerors and warriors of ancient history. Values Reordered The choice places peace, wit, and honesty above war, policy, and beauty as measures of achievement.

An Open Invitation An Open Invitation from "The Blazing World". An Open Invitation Readers as Creators Readers may imagine themselves as subjects of the Duchess's worlds or create worlds of their own.

An Open Invitation from "The Blazing World". An Open Invitation Readers as Creators Readers may imagine themselves as subjects of the Duchess's worlds or create worlds of their own.

An Open Invitation Readers as Creators Readers may imagine themselves as subjects of the Duchess's worlds or create worlds of their own. Authorship Protected The invitation to create remains paired with a warning against unjustly taking another's imaginative creation.

During the Duchess's first confession

During the Spirits' reply

After the Duchess changes her aim

In the epilogue

At the final address to readers