Author Description
In this quirky and intriguing book, John Sutherland has conveniently gathered together thirty-four nagging little questions, puzzles, errors, and enigmas from some of the best-loved examples of Victorian fiction. Readers often have stumbled upon seeming mysteries in their favorite novels. Why, for example, is the plot of The Woman in White irrevocably flawed? (The timing of the crime is off.) Is the hero of George Eliot's Middlemarch illegitimate? (Probably, although he was later legitimized.) Why does the otherwise sensible Jane Eyre give in to a sudden and unexplained outburst of superstition? (Charlotte Bronte, in reality, had a similar experience.) What is the real reason we find The Picture of Dorian Gray so disturbing? (There is an overwhelming emphasis on the sense of smell.) These answers and more can all be found in John Sutherland's entertaining and maddening book.When it comes to literary criticism there's really nothing quite like the joys of close reading and good-natured inquiry. This is the spirit in which Is Heathcliff A Murderer was conceived and executed. Rather than trying to catch great authors in mistakes, Sutherland usually turns up perfectly plausible reasons for the seeming anomalies.Everyone who reads nineteenth-century novels will thoroughly enjoy John Sutherland's exploration of the seemingly unanswered, and each chapter is a direct link to one of Oxford's World's Classics.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates whether the apparent plot holes, inconsistencies, and enigmas found in classic nineteenth-century novels are genuine authorial errors or intentional narrative choices. John Sutherland, a noted scholar of Victorian literature, utilizes his extensive knowledge of the period's publishing history and social context to examine thirty-four specific puzzles. He argues that many perceived flaws in works by authors like Brontë, Eliot, and Collins can be resolved through closer attention to the text and historical context.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of thirty-four specific literary enigmas from Victorian-era novels.
- Historical context regarding nineteenth-century publishing and editorial practices.
- Close reading techniques applied to canonical texts.
Scope Limits
- The book does not provide a comprehensive history of the Victorian novel.
- It does not cover literature outside the nineteenth-century British tradition.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Critics and readers frequently note that Sutherland’s approach provides a lighthearted yet rigorous entry point into literary scholarship. Experts highlight this as a useful companion for students and enthusiasts who wish to deepen their engagement with the Oxford World's Classics series.
Page Count:
258
Publication Date:
2002-04-01
ISBN-10:
0192834681
ISBN-13:
9780192834683
Non-Fiction
Victorian
Literary Criticism
Literary Analysis