Convergences: Points of comparison to consider while reading Victorian Literature

George P. Landow, Professor of English and Art History, Brown University

[Victorian Web Home —> Victorianism —> Authors —> Religion —> Philosophy —> Science —> Politics and Society]

Modes

1. Fantasy and Legend: Carroll, MacDonald, Rossetti, Tennsyon
2. Realism: Dickens, Gaskell, Trollope

Genres

1. Bildungsromanen (narratives of growth and development): Brontë, E. B. Browning, Carroll, Gaskell, MacDonald
2. Sage-writing: Arnold, Carlyle, Ruskin, Wilde
3. Narrative poem: E. B. and R. Browning, C. and D. G. Rossetti, Tennyson

Themes, Subject, Situation, and Imagery

1. Death of Children: C. Brontë,
Dickens, Kingsley, MacDonald
2. Dreams and visions: Carroll, MacDonald, Tennyson
3. Female protagonist: Brontë, Browning, Carroll, Dickens, Gaskell,
4. Past vs. present: Carlyle, MacDonald, Pugin, Ruskin, Tennyson
5. Plots end with marriage to a crippled or impoversished man: Brontë, Browning, Dickens, Gaskell
6. Prison, criminal acts, legal system: Dickens, Gaskell, Trollope
7. Religious faith and doubt: Dickens, Gaskell, MacDonald, Tennyson
8. Religious imagery: Brontë, Browning, Dickens, Gaskell, MacDonald, Rossetti, Tennyson,
9. Seduction: Brontë, Browning, MacDonald, Rossetti, Tennyson, Trollopev
10. Social reform: Browning, Dickens, Gaskell, Ruskin
11. Swindling, credit, stocks: Dickens, Trollope, Carlyle
12. The Victorian city: Arnold, Browning, Carlyle, Dickens, Gaskell, Ruskin, Trollope

Last modified 21 July 2015