Aging, Duration, and the English Novel: Growing Old from Dickens to Woolf

The realist novel uses aging conventions to accelerate the process of aging into a descriptive moment, writing the passage of years on the body all at once. This parallels the ideological pressure to identify as being young by repressing the process of growing old, and the construction of aging as a shameful event that should be hidden. The long novel draws upon the temporality of the body to map progress and decline onto the plots of nineteenth-century British modernity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 14 October 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The onset of dementia, the emergence of gray hair after a traumatic loss, and the sudden appearance of a wrinkle in the brow of a spurned lover are all examples of the rapid aging that can occur in the world of realism. These conventions are employed by realist writers to accelerate the process of aging into a descriptive moment, capturing the passage of years on the body all at once. In his book "Aging, Duration, and the English Novel," Robert Crawford argues that the formal disappearance of aging from the novel parallels the ideological pressure to identify as being young by repressing the process of growing old. This construction of aging as a shameful event that should be hidden, often to improve one's chances on the job market or secure a successful marriage, corresponds to the rise of the long novel, which draws upon the temporality of the body to map progress and decline onto the plots of nineteenth-century British modernity.

The long novel, which emerged in the nineteenth century, is particularly well-suited to exploring the complexities of aging. By drawing upon the temporality of the body, these works can depict the gradual decline of physical strength, the onset of wrinkles and gray hair, and the emotional struggles that come with these changes. They can also explore the social and cultural implications of aging, such as the ways in which it shapes individuals' relationships with others and their place in society.

One of the most notable examples of the long novel's exploration of aging is Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." In this work, Austen depicts the aging of Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist, as a gradual process that is marked by both physical and emotional changes. Bennet begins the novel as a young and naive girl, but as she grows older, she becomes more self-aware, intelligent, and independent. She also experiences the loss of loved ones, including her father and sister, which further contributes to her emotional growth.

Another example is Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol." In this work, Dickens depicts the aging of Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter and miserly businessman, as a transformative experience that leads him to rediscover the joy of Christmas and the importance of kindness and generosity. Scrooge begins the novel as a cold and selfish man, but through his encounter with the ghost of Christmas Past, the ghost of Christmas Present, and the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, he learns the value of empathy, compassion, and love.

In addition to these works, there are many other examples of the long novel's exploration of aging. For instance, F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" depicts the aging of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy businessman, as a tragic process that is marked by his pursuit of the American Dream and his eventual downfall. Similarly, Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway" depicts the aging of Clarissa Dalloway, a wealthy socialite, as a process that is marked by her internal struggles and her relationships with others.

Overall, the long novel provides a rich and nuanced exploration of the complexities of aging, offering a powerful lens through which to understand the human experience. By drawing upon the temporality of the body, these works can depict the gradual decline of physical strength, the onset of wrinkles and gray hair, and the emotional struggles that come with these changes. They can also explore the social and cultural implications of aging, such as the ways in which it shapes individuals' relationships with others and their place in society. As such, the long novel remains a valuable and important genre for contemporary readers, offering a glimpse into the past and a window into the future.

Weight: 336g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108713221
Edition number: New ed