Travel Module "Travel writing is no more than a mine to be excavated for the information it contains about exotic, unfamiliar cultures." Discuss. Travel writing considers a range of topics, meaning limiting the boundaries of such works to "exotic, unfamiliar cultures," as the titular quote attempts to, is impossible. Xavier de Maistre wrote, "A Journey Round My Room" which is far from an "exotic" or "unfamiliar" territory.1 This is not the only simplistic assumption made within the titular quote, as it also argues that travel writing is only useful when searching for information about "exotic, unfamiliar cultures". However, whilst travel writing is inherently based on examining different regions, this viewpoint negates to "excavate" beyond the surface. Therefore, it fails to discover the underlying information available about the author, their wider societies and the purpose of the work, something this study will attempt to illuminate. Thompson argues that travel writing as a genre possesses a "bewildering diversity of forms, modes and itineraries" which undermines the simplicity of the titular quote and demonstrates how travel writing provides information on more than "exotic, unfamiliar cultures." 2 Negating to examine underlying information risks allowing the biases of the work, a result of authors' views and societal beliefs, makes the information being "mined" less reliable. In order to determine the true extent of information provided, a diverse range of texts shall be utilised, illustrating how these variations can reflect the values of the author and their society. Initially, the information regarding "exotic, unfamiliar cultures" that can be gained from travel writing shall be discussed, then the focus on exotica (artefacts and information centred around the New World) reflected in the titular quote will be examined, as it sheds light on the context of the work. Following exotica, this study will aim to illustrate how the process of "othering," something instigated by Herodotus, provides insight into the author's personal 1 Xavier de Maistre, A Journey Round My Room, trans. H.A, (New York: Hurd and Houghton, 1871). 2 Carl Thompson, Travel Writing, (London: Routledge, 2011), 1 - 2. 1
Travel Module and societal views. Finally, throughout the study, the purpose of the author's travel and work shall be examined as these motivations can be established from the text. In order assess these themes, Herodotus' Histories, Cook's journals from the Endeavour, Rowlandson's captive narrative, Boswell's account of the Grand Tour, and Montaigne's journal will be focused upon, as they bridge genres, time periods and genders. The main purpose of travel writing, as suggested by the titular quote, is to discuss foreign places, often deemed "exotic" or "unusual," as these are popular with readers. Therefore, these works share similarities: accounts of local people, their rituals, wildlife and architecture being some examples. Information about the region the author is discussing can be gathered from these reports, thus supporting the titular quote and demonstrating an important use of travel writing. Herodotus focuses on the appearance of some locals, describing how the inhabitants were "bald from birth ... snub noses and large