The Victorian Age and its Literary Representations

PS, 2st., Di 12-14, S 91 / GWI
BA (1.2), A4, A7; MAIAS elective; Lehramt
WS 2013/2014
Universität Bayreuth

During the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) prosperity increased in Britain resulting out of the expanding Empire and technological advancements. Nevertheless, it was not only a period of success including major scientific and philosophical discoveries, but the rapid urbanization triggered by the Industrial Revolution also lead to miserable working and living conditions for working-class people. This course aims at exploring the Victorian Age from different angles. With the help of non-fictional writing, we will get an insight into the actual living circumstances and attitudes of that time. By reading various forms of literary representations, we will highlight the aspects people were mostly concerned about and analyse the methods writers used to depict these social issues.

Texts to be obtained by students:
Elizabeth Gaskell. Mary Barton
Charles Dickens. A Christmas Carol
Oscar Wilde. The Importance of Being Earnest
Robert Louis Stevenson. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Course Overview:
Course Overview Victorian (pdf-file)