An isolated yet pristine location, Cornwall lies on the southwestern tip of England. The county of Cornwall has a vibrant history and is present in many works of literature, including The Romance of a Shop by Amy Levy. Settlement in the Cornwall area dates back to the Stone Age, in which evidence of early hunter-gatherer civilization from roughly 10,000 BCE has been found near the sea shore. Specifically, settlements have been found near two specific locations: “The Lizard” and “Bodmin Moor” (Cornish History).
Cornwall has been home to a variety of natural resources that have supported its economy throughout its history. The Bronze Age, dating 2400 to 1500 BCE, gave way to the first instances of mining and metal working in Cornwall, which became an instrumental part of their society in modern times (Cornish History). For over 3000 years, tin was a massive industry in Cornwall. It was important to the extent that miners were given special privileges in court of law! Copper mining was also a vital driving force in the Cornish economy. The significance of the tin and copper industry can be seen in 2006, when Copper and tin mines in the counties of Devon and Cornwall were designated as world heritage sites. Cornwall continued to develop in the Iron Age (Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). From 600 BC to roughly 43 AD, many new economic and social centers arose in the Cornwall area. Through the years, Cornwall has become a huge tourist destination. While natural resources drove the economy in the past, tourism is now an extremely important industry. Many people visit beautiful Cornwall for its seashore, or they purchase second homes and retirement homes in the area. Due to its seaside climate, temperatures are mild and it is quite a lush area (Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). Today, St. Ives, a quaint beach town in Cornwall, is a prime tourist destination with beautiful scenery. It is known to be a lovely place for a family holiday, feauring prisine beaches, pubs, art gallerys, and surfing (Porthmeor Beach).
Cornwall is present in modern literature, and it is featured in the "new woman" novel The Romance of a Shop by Amy Levy. The novel follows the story of four sisters as they recover from the loss of their father, learn to make their way in the world of the photography business, and fall in love. Frank, the love interest of Lucy, is from Cornwall. He says, “no one knows what the sea is like, till they have been to Cornwall” (Levy XII). He remarks at the beauty of his childhood home. As mentioned before, Cornwall is home to beautiful, lush seasides, perfect for vacation and retirement. Through the development of his relationship with Lucy, he is meant to take her to his parents house in Cornwall, but before he can, he is reported missing in Africa. Lucy laments, “She remembered how, on that last day, Frank had planned the visit to Cornwall. Was he not going to show her every nook and corner of the old home, which many a time before he had so minutely described to her” (Levy XVIII). Their shared journey to Cornwall was a symbolic seal of their love to each other. As is in today’s world, meeting the parents of the spouse can be an important step in a romantic relationship, such is the case here. Through Lucy’s laments and Frank’s admiration, Cornwall plays a role in their relationship and in the novel as a whole.
Works Cited
“Cornish History - Stone Age to Present Day | Cornwall Guide.” The Cornwall Guide, https://www.cornwalls.co.uk/history. Accessed 21 September 2022.
Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Cornwall | History, Attractions, Economy, & Facts | Britannica.” Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/place/Cornwall-unitary-authority-England. Accessed 21 September 2022.
“Everyday Life in Cornwall Captured in the 19th Century – in Pictures.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 19 May 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/gallery/2016/may/19/everyday-life-i….
Google Earth, Google, https://earth.google.com/web/.
Levy, Amy. The Romance of a Shop. T. Fisher Unwin, 1888.
Porthmeor Beach, https://www.visitcornwall.com/beaches/lifeguards-seasonal/west-cornwall….
“Top 10 Views.” Cornwall Guide, 12 Jan. 2022, https://www.cornwalls.co.uk/top_ten/views.htm.