Victorian Literature and Culture

This is a guidance book for students or general readers who want to know more about literary studies in the Victorian period. It's in four parts: the historical and intellectual background; the literature of the period considered in separate genres; critical approaches; and a set of resources for independent study. After a quick overview of what is in fact a long period of history (1837-1901) Maureen Moran goes straight into the themes and issues that constitute the substance of this survey. She starts by introducing the historical, cultural, and scientific developments of what is normally considered three separate periods - early (1837-1850), high (1850-70) and late Victorian society (1870-1901). The main theme which emerges is that of conflicting ideologies underneath what is often thought of as a rather smug and conservative society... Read more >>

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