Hatred and Civility
The Antisocial Life in Victorian England
Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, European, British
| Author: | Christopher Lane | ISBN: | 9780231503907 |
| Publisher: | Columbia University Press | Publication: | April 18, 2006 |
| Imprint: | Columbia University Press | Language: | English |
| Author: | Christopher Lane |
| ISBN: | 9780231503907 |
| Publisher: | Columbia University Press |
| Publication: | April 18, 2006 |
| Imprint: | Columbia University Press |
| Language: | English |
To understand hatred and civility in today's world, argues Christopher Lane, we should start with Victorian fiction. Although the word "Victorian" generally brings to mind images of prudish sexuality and well-heeled snobbery, it has above all become synonymous with self-sacrifice, earnest devotion, and moral rectitude. Yet this idealized version of Victorian England is surprisingly scarce in the period's literature--and its journalism, sermons, poems, and plays--where villains, hypocrites, murderers, and cheats of all types abound.
To understand hatred and civility in today's world, argues Christopher Lane, we should start with Victorian fiction. Although the word "Victorian" generally brings to mind images of prudish sexuality and well-heeled snobbery, it has above all become synonymous with self-sacrifice, earnest devotion, and moral rectitude. Yet this idealized version of Victorian England is surprisingly scarce in the period's literature--and its journalism, sermons, poems, and plays--where villains, hypocrites, murderers, and cheats of all types abound.
