
The Newcomes is Thackeray's most "Victorian" novel, generous in its proportions, sharp in its criticism of the morality of the age, and encyclopedic in its reference. Set in the 1830s and 1840s, a period of rapid change and of political and economic development, the novel considers the fortunes and misfortunes of a respectable extended middle-class family. At its center is Thomas Newcome, whose distinctive but old-fashioned gentlemanliness stands from the self-seeking society in which he lives. The most observant and witty of Thackeray's novels, The Newcomes is also among his most complex and allusive, and this edition provides full and detailed notes that clarify many of his references.
The narrative centers on the moral conflict between the honorable, old-fashioned Colonel Thomas Newcome and the mercenary, status-obsessed society of 19th-century London. The protagonist, Colonel Newcome, attempts to navigate the complex social hierarchies and financial pressures of the Victorian era while protecting his son, Clive, from the corrupting influence of their ambitious relatives. The novel employs a multi-generational scope, utilizing a complex narrative framework that relies on the observations of Arthur Pendennis, who acts as a chronicler of the family's rise and decline. The characters are constrained by rigid class expectations, the necessity of advantageous marriages, and the shifting economic landscape of the 1830s and 1840s.
Readers and critics frequently describe this work as a definitive examination of Victorian social mores and the hypocrisy inherent in the pursuit of respectability. Discussion often centers on the contrast between the Colonel's outdated chivalry and the cynical pragmatism of his extended family members. Many observers highlight the novel's expansive scale and its effectiveness in capturing the rapid economic shifts of the era. While some readers find the pacing deliberate due to its length, others appreciate the depth of characterization and the sharp, observational wit that defines the narrative voice. The work remains a primary subject of study for those interested in the intersection of social history and 19th-century prose style.
Page Count:
1144
Publication Date:
1995-03-30
ISBN-10:
0192831739
ISBN-13:
9780192831736
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