La mentalidad de la novela del siglo XIX, Apuntes de Literatura inglesa

¡Descarga La mentalidad de la novela del siglo XIX y más Apuntes en PDF de Literatura inglesa solo en Docsity! Nineteenth-Century NOVEL Mindset (mentalidad) 1. The Victorian Reader Reading alone in the bedroom was punishable for women. The Public Libraries Act > democratisation of knowledge. In libraries there were rooms for men and another one for women with different genres for each gender. Women had access to journals while men to a higher literature. Debate on access to the public libraries: High classes now had access to public libraries, but since they were public, everyone could enter but many said that the working classes were loud so that's why they didn't left them to enter. Circulating library: books circulates among readers Thus, reading spaces increased in the 19'? century and also access to books and periodicals. Still, the access was not free to everybody. 1840s-1850s is the highest period in which circulating libraries spread. Circulating libraries were commercial establishments in which you paid for lending a book or for a periodical subscription. They usually were establishment on a large scale but there were also smaller establishments, focus more on local subscribers. Mudie”s Circulating library (1842-1894) had become the SELECT library in 1842 aimed on middle class audience. It was successful because of its respectability. Middle classes wanted to imitate high classes. In this library there was fiction and non-fiction (books on medical sciences, philosophy, etc...). thus, middle classes also read all sort of knowledge. They published in form of three-deckers because middle classes could not afford to buy them and thus subscribe instead to lend them and therefor enter respectability in their homes. They could afford to lend beautiful editions of these books instead of buying a less respectable edition. THREE-DECKERS: irregular tradition of publishing novels in various novel (before 19'” century). Now it became more uniformed to publish in three volumes. But why three and not one or two? Because doing so, in terms of money, libraries could have three borrowers at a time. In these libraries > high classes buy while middle classes borrowed. RESPECTABILITY: libraries selected works which people know would be respectable. Thus, readers chose these libraries to ensure themselves they were reading something respectable. Against respectability > objectionable character novels. The three-deckers publishments also influence the length of the novels, which actually were very long novel such as Jane Eyre. Perhaps Hard Times is the shortest one of that time. Wealthy people from middle-classes wanted to imitate high-classes lives by reading books which were considered respectable. Also, by imitating their manners and habits. INSTALLMENTS: chapter by chapter SERIALISATION: within journals or magazines. Less vulnerable By these two methods it was easier to publish a random unknown author. For example, if after 2 or 3 installments it does not succeed then | will cut the production. In journals it does not matter if readers does noy like the novel because there will be still buyer of the journal. But if the novel is successful then it will push the sales of sich journal. If you were a woman, you would need a pseudonym or an unknown identity. There were journals specifically for women. for women it was easier to publish within a serialise manner instead of three-deckers. These serial publications changed the type of writing because writers needed to create a sort of suspense in order to make readers buy the next chapter. The Literature of the Working-classes p.28-29 INTRODUCTION George Elliot> a great writer in the 19% century but not so well perceived by the society because she was a woman. Genres have been invented in order to classify literature For example, Jane Eyre can be a Bildungsroman or a Victorian gothic romance, realistic novel, sensation novel. We should not classify novels into genres because we would be missing elements from other literary genres that we do not consider. So always bear in mind the connections of genres. the gothic literature develops into the Victorian gothics. The exotic goes into the Victorian homes. + Gothic novels e Bildungsroman e Condition of England novel (working classes in the centre of the novel. This will develop into realism) e Children's fiction e Science fiction e Sensation novel (through Jane Eyre). This novel produce sensations in readers and the protagonists e Historical novel + Newgate and Detective novel (Newgate was a prison in London. This fiction emerges in the settings of prison and deal with delict and delinquents) e Feminist Utopias (New Amazonia. Ideal world in which the gender boundaries are broken. Women are going to be the leaders. Just the other way round as the actual society. What cannot happen in the society of that time, is happening in literature) SENSATION NOVEL MARY ELIZABETH BRADDON Mary Elizabeth Braddon was the greatest example of sensational writer with Lady Audley... She married a publisher thus she was a very prolific writer. Although some of her works were lost because she published anonymously. Sensation novel originated from a mixture of both Newgate and Gothic novel. But there are some differences. Setting: the middle-class Victorian home (from domestic fiction). And also, another difference is the Heroine: active / unexpected character € feminine ideal, moral ambiguity and secrecy. They are more on the fame fatale style. Bigamy plots are found also. It is going to be essential in sensation. It is a direct attack to the moral of the middle classes. Sensation novels needs to be given a realistic sense and of verism, so we have got characters who are well known for everybody like for ex bankers, lawyers, governess. How do we give verism? --> with references of newspaper. Evidence taken from newspapers. In these novels the heroine either die or she is redeemed by society, but they cannot follow with their lives without a change. Very complicated plots, novels were first serialised in order to grab the attention of the readers. For some critics sensation vision attacked middle class values because it attacked the institutional marriage. They need to get married again because they need to go on with their lives in society. They are victims of society. Sensation novels emerged in the 18!” century as a response to what was going on at that time. Melodrama > causing sensation in the reader Lady Audley”s Secret: she adopted a different identity because she thought she had been left by her husband. She found her second identity with her second marriage. How is sensation reflected in the excerpt? Close reading analysis: First excerpt> The secret chamber might be in a Victorian manor house, more specifically in a nursery. Subtle attack to moral of the high classes because even they are going to have secret places and things to hide. Third excerpt> Alicia is the first person who's going to be suspected of. Itis about a description of a lady in a painting, thus connected with the gothic tradition and the unveiling the secret topic. Also, paintings in the gothic traditions were linked to the past while here in this excerpt they are related with the Pre-Raphaelites tradition. Last excerpt> climaxes, secrecy and complicated plots. The characters are from the higher classes. Attacking the morality of the higher classes “carrying ruin and desolation with me, to the home | love”. Creation of daily newspapers as sources of plots (in the fourth line approx.) Preliminaries CHARLOTTE BRONTE What happens with women writers in the 19' century? There are strategies for gender studies to challenge 19* century literary canon. 1. Bringing to our attention writers forgotten or marginalised. For example, Elizabeth B. B. a. Literary history written taking into account their stories. For example, Ann R. and Elizabeth B. B. Expansion of the canon (e.g. New Woman writings). We can expand it by including new names as for example from women or by introducing new genres as on the case of sensational novel, female utopias or women working for theatres. 2. Proposing new frames of reference for revealing/rereading canonical works (challenging the construction of the canon but also the of the criticism. The traditional frame is the one told by the male humanity because the female one. Was not taken into account) a. E.g., difference between male and female Gothic fiction ¡. Female representing patriarchal oppression li. Male representing femme fatales and fantasy In the end the effort of some women was celebrated. For example, Elizabeth B. B. was recognised in the 19' century. But also Jane Austen, George Elliot and the Bronte sisters. Reasons for the high visibility of women in the 19* century: Large scale changes in literary culture > the expansion of the industry is one of the reasons why we have got more female writers. Development of mass literary market > women are not only writer but also became readers. Growth of periodical literature Emergence of a new class of professional writers 1. a. This offered some women economic independence. For ex > Caroline Norton who was a woman who had to provide for herself. She was from the upper class, and she married very well in terms of money. Her husband was older than she. They had problems in their marriage at some point of their life. She was very open minded while he was the opposite. So, one time her husband brought her to court because she was having a conversation with a man called Melbourne. He accused her of illegal conversation. At that time women were still under the coverture law. So, she was removed of her children and of everything she had. Eventually, she managed to change the law and mothers could see their children even though they had not they custody. b. Her marriage was so scandalous at that time that she wrote about marriage and could thus provide for herself. 5. Prejudices against women writers: they were generally excluded from the literary canon 6. Reasons: a. Women only fit for a short range of topics i. Forexample, romance and domestic life b. Women lacked the experience for more serious topics ¡i. Thomas Gisborne claimed that men are the ones having the efforts of mind, comprehensive reasoning. While women only fit for modesty, delicacy, sympathising and sensibility. li. Harold Bloom and the anxiety of influence > writers are influenced by their predecessors, always! Still, some women writers were publishing under synonyms or anonymously like for example George Eliot whose name was Mary Ann Evans. So, this synonymity and anonymity would allow them to become famous. Despite all the efforts of women they would write in every genre of literature. Also, it was easier for women to write in a periodical press. FEMALE UTOPIAS Characteristics: e Worlds colonised by women e Escapist world e Criticising the present reality New Amazonia by Corbett E.: she speaks about the life in 2472. There is a female writer sitting in a room reading newspapers and then entering a dream while asleep. In the dream she wakes up in New Amazonia in 2472. Ireland became independent from Great Britain and there was the need for colonising this new land and there will be women colonising this land and creating a new society where men will eventually be allowed. “Appeal against female suffrage” was the article she refers to in the text. lt was against feminism and female growth. 2" paragraph: the women who have signed this article are wealthy women. 3": there were replies to this article both written by men and women. But there are especially two names who represent two of the most active suffragettes. In New Amazonia she found men and very very tall women who tell her the history of the country she has missed. CLOSE READING ANALYSIS Chapter XVII Rochester is the Byronic hero. He is not beautiful according to rules. He is not the traditional male character of a love plot. He is a passionate hero with a darkly mysterious erotic past. He is a womanizer and mistreats women. He has got an ambiguous past and his present is also obscure. Also, he is restlessness as the hero in Don Juan. He travels a lot far from home. So, the author s breaking boundaries with the genre in this sense. There are elements of the gothic in the characters. For example, in the character of Bertha and the one of Rochester as well because of his dark side of character. Jane Eyre can be read through different novels: gothic, sensational and Chapter XXVI Bertha referred as an animal. Basic elements of the gothic in the description of this character. We don't know whether it was a beast or a human being, it could be also something supernatural. But then we realize it is just a woman locked in the attic. So, we discover the truth which ends up being something natural, not supernatural. Objectifying the character of Bertha. The Doppelgánger or the Double: every being has two sides. The dark one and the positive one. The dark side is represented by external characters. So, Bertha will represent the double character of Jane Eyre. The two women complement each other because one is the dark and the other is the positive side. Jane is influenced by external forces which are mesmerising. For example, the moment when Jane listens the voice of Rochester and goes back to him and marries him. Chapter XI! The first example of the adult and mature Jane Eyre. She presents the idea and the will to do more, her restlessness. Element of the Bildungsroman in the growth of Jane Eyre. She feels entrapped in the novel and this state is directly linked with the character of Bertha being locked up in the attic. Jane is herself only when she is outdoor, not when she is inside. This excerpt is in isolation, and she says, “when | took a walk by myself”. She wants to do more than she was expected. The corridor is the only place where she feels save. Outdoor and Indoor scenes. Aurora Leigh and the role of women and Jane Eyre being a strong-minded woman wanting a. change in their roles. She is preceding the voices of many feminists” movement. Jane Eyre is a Feminism novel only in certain excerpt, but not in the whole because of the treatment women receive in it. There are elements of the Condition-of-England novel. Chapter X Metanarrative reflection of the author which was also present in Jane Austen Nottingham Abbey. And also, moral growth, so Bildungsroman Chapter V We are in Lowood, and she is referring to Hellen. Jane, Hellen and Bertha are the three connected. So, Hellen is another alter ego of Jane. Subtle criticism towards religion. Mr. Brocklehurst is an example of a Methodist. Hellen represents Christian tolerance thinking her reward in heaven whereas Jane is not so much clear about the redemption. Chapter X The use of language: very long sentences and every element has got a purpose. The syntactical structure is very usual in Jane Eyre together with long descriptions. Lyric language > lots of words. Chapter XXXVIIl Jane Eyre as a social novel with marriage and education of women and governesses. Marriage is not a commercial exchange in the novel. She does not agree with the idea Of marriage as a business. There are parallelisms which illustrates this marriage between equals. Bear in mind that no women had any right on their properties if married. She tries to build the equality in marriage. CONDITION-OF-ENGLAND NOVEL Poetry was the greatest genre of romanticism, while later on it will be the novel because it is better to tell the condition of that time. Social FICTION: speaking about the society of its time. The social fiction is the umbrella that includes a wide range of topics seen in the condition-of-England novel. e industrial novel: factories and its problems as the main topic e condition-of-England novel: speak about the two nations (the rich and the poor) they will illustrate the differences between the rich and the poor in every sphere of the society. e social-problem novel: specific problems of the society of the 19' century. Also in terms of femme fatale, fallen women, etc... *e novels-with-a-purpose: SLUM fiction. The setting is much more illustrative. It would depict the working-class space and their surroundings. Suburbs of working-classes. Condition-of-England novels It begins in 1830s. Decline in the 1860s of these novels because sensational novel was spreading widely. Historical background > Laws and social movement (see Perusall) Chartism (the working classes demanding more representation in the public sphere) e Will demand the right to vote for all men: working-class and not + Equal electoral districts in order to have the same representation in parliament e Abolition of the requirement that Members of the Parliament be property owner: to be an MP you had to own properties. Thus, only members of the higher classes could become an MP. e Payment of MPs: they cannot do whatever they want, if you reached the parliament and had no properties than you needed to be paid in order to sustain annual e Annual general elections: in order to try to change the ruling classes as well e Secret ballot: secret vote in order not to be influenced Hard Times was published in 1854 Topics of the Social Fiction of the 19' century (Condition-of-England novel) e Related with the struggle between the two nations e Factory question / factory slave e Hungry forties e Chartist uprising e Class conflict e Capitalism CHARLES DICKENS His life affected his works very much. He had a harsh childhood; his father was an officer. He lived from 1812-1870. His father could have lived well but he had lots of debts. He went to prison, a prison for debtors, which was very usual at that time. So, he started working at a very early age. He worked at a blackening factory (factory de tinte). We will see the problems of his childhood reflected in most of his novels. (David Copperfield, Hard Times...) When he became a writer, his family still relied on him economically. He was mostly self-taught and was an avid reader. He also met Catherine Hogarth in the 1830 and married her just a year later. At the beginning it was a happy marriage but then they separated. (Divorce topic). Ellen Terran was an actress who fell madly in love with Dickens. Charles Dickens was the writer of characters of the 19' century: he depicted them vividly from inside to outside. This is because of the influence of the theatre. He worked together with Willkie Collins (the starter of ). It is said that he was in charge of the division of the structure. They also worked together in theatre not only in fiction. They made private theatres at home. He even performed before queen Victoria and in this time, he met with Ellen Terran. MASAS and Sicanengine are animalised in the narration. They are referred to as serpents and elephants. Red and black > the colours of industrialisation. “Facts, facts, facts” repetition device. This is called also VOCATIO > repetition x3 of the same word. But there are also CONDUPLICATIO > repetition of fact at the end of each clause. “Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen” Moralizing attitude of the narrator. Chapter III: description of the entertainment of the circus. This description is based on real facts and real performances and real-life entertainments. The shows are based on real life acts. Same rhetorical devices are repeated > repetitions Anticipation of the marriage with Mr. Bounderby and the future of the two characters (Circus scene) Louisa appears more opposing his father while Tom is more obedient and apologetic. Louisa's struggle to seek for another kind of education than the one she is receiving. Circus people are vagabond whit restrictive education up to the father. Just the opposite to what he wants for their children. Chapter VIIl: education based on facts and its effects on children. Dickens through the character of Mr Gradgrind reflects upon the effects of reading on readers. Chapter XI: the visit of Stephen Blackpool to Mr Gradgrind. The novel speaks to what happen at that time in which divorce was much debated at courts. 1857 divorce law. Matrimonial causes act was passes in 1857 whit the establish of the new court of divorce. It claimed that it had expanded divorce and the access to it for the whole society, but you could claim divorce if you were a man and if you could prove that your wife had committed adultery. Women had to prove adultery, bigamy and criminality if they wanted to divorce. The excerpt does not focus on gender issues but on class issues. There was another act that was passed 1853 (one year before the publication of Hard Times) the act for better prevention and punishment of aggravated assaults upon women: to protect women against abuses. Husbands by law they could beat wife as long as they could a cain ticker than a police. (This happened before 1853) If you beat your wife either you went to prison for six months or you paid the fiancé. Blackpool in the excerpt goes against the legal system that facilitated divorce. Through the satirical tone we understand that only high classes were allowed to divorce because they had the money to afford it. THOMAS HARDY Jude the obscure page 78-9 and the followings 1% excerpt: education and marriage and the faults of the two systems. The novel was published 1895 in book format: a single volume. But the previous year it was serialized in 1894 by Marper's Magazine The basis of the novel is a directed attack to the differences of the working and higher classes and to the constraints of marriage by the late 19' century. Plot: Jude is a man and the main protagonist of the novel. He was working as a mazen but he always wanted to receive higher education and so he educated himself. He aims to receive higher education and go to university. There is a satirical representation of Oxford who will not allow him to enter the university. The idea that he could not access an institution just for the social rang will haunt him throughout the novel. There are not so many characters as in Hard Times. Characters are reduced but they are more developed physiologically. Philosophical and tragical issues are inserted in the novel. Jude is seduced by Arabella, they marry but there is not a happy marriage, and she leaves him first without divorce then with it. He meets another woman and falls in love with her, she loves him as well, but she decides to marry another man who had educated her. After, she eventually leaves him for Jude. Even if they separate from their husband and wife respectively and they divorce and free to marry again, GUILT is going to chase around them> they will be rejected by society. Compare it with Dicken's marriage NEWGATE 8. DETECTIVE NOVEL Newgate prison in London was very famous in the 19' century. Page 87-88 > Newgate's Calendar: there were publication that had got crime as central plot. Ex Penny dreadful and Shilling shockers. And of course, the Newgate's Calendar. They take the name of the prison and was a bulletin of execution produced in the prison: they explained why men were going to be executed. For general popular audience, middle and working classes. They were published as four volumes by two lawyers to make money and they had a massive success between 1824-26. It fed the interest in notorious criminal. The criminals and not the detectives were at the centre of the story. Crime fiction would be an appealing topic but there was a debate on the influence on the reader. They might be negatively influenced. The genre was widely criticised and thus it became very popular because of the critics. Then we move from this cheap criminal fiction to the Newgate novels which were larger novels and with a higher degree of literacy. They were centred on crime, fiction and lower classes. We can see topics of Newgate novels in the condition-of-England novel, sensation novel and detective novels. How does the attention move from the criminal to detective? > creation of a new police: metropolitan Police Act > New Divorce Laws: emerge of private detectives (hiring private detectives to discover their wives' adultery) > Emergence of new scientists / detective: Sherlock Holmes and Ezra Jennings The first fictional detectives Charles Dickens was enthralled by this idea, and wrote several articles praising the new department. Shortly afterwards, in his novel Bleak House (1852-3), Dickens created Mr Bucket, who has been called the first fictional detective, and, it is generally accepted, was drawn from the mannerisms and appearance of a real detective-inspector, Charles Field. What then seemed like a trick ending, where readers learn what the detective had been thinking all along, and thereby discover the murderer, appeared here for the first time. With this new twist, readers became fascinated, not by the crime itself, but by its solution. To satisfy this desire to explore how a crime is solved, dozens of stories with detective heroes began to appear. What is often called the first detective novel, The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins, was published in 1868. But several years before that, the female professional detective in fiction had already been born, even though in the real world the police force was entirely male until two women were hired to look after female prisoners at police stations in 1883. In Ruth the Betrayer (first published in parts in 1862-3), Ruth Trail is “a female detective — a sort of spy we use in the hanky-panky way when a man would be too clumsy'. She is not of the regular police, but “attached to a notorious Secret Intelligence Office, established by an ex-member of the police force”. (Rather wonderfully, it is so secret that the office has a brass plaque on the door: 'Secret Agent, it reads.) The Moonstone is considered to be the first detective novel.