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January 31, 2006
The True Victorian Era
As my required/elective English courses have come to an end, I decided to create an independent study to continue exploring the inter-connected relationship between history and literature. Deciding upon a focus has proved challenge, yet after much research, I believe that I've finally pin-pointed the purpose for this sole excursion.
Since my college sophomore year, I've become fascinated with the repressed Victorian society primarily because a selection of its literature appears to contradict history. Whether reviewing the development of male/female characters or attempting to psycho-analyze their actions, I've learned that the context that lies beneath a "prim and proper" surface is sensual and dark.
Through Donald Thomas' The Victorian Underworld, the Victorian Era and its holistic virtues are tarnished as the author formally introduces audiences to a dreadful world where day and night transform a city from Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde. The entries following this introduction will detail key notes within Thomas' work in connection to various texts of the time.
Enjoy!
Posted by BethanyHutira at 03:20 PM | Comments (3)