Articulating Bodies: The Narrative Form of Disability and Illness in Victorian Fiction

The book "Articulating Bodies" explores the intersection of Victorian fiction and disability's medicalization by examining how narrative form and body are articulated in texts from the 19th century. It demonstrates that authors used narrative form to negotiate how to categorize bodies, constructing and questioning the boundary between normalcy and abnormality.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

Articulating Bodies delves into the fascinating interplay between Victorian fiction and the medicalization of disability, exploring the intricate connections between narrative form and bodily experiences. By examining a wide range of texts from the 19th century, including Frederic Shoberl's English translation of Victor Hugo's Notre-Dame de Paris (1833) and Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes story "The Adventure of the Crooked Man" (1893), the book sheds light on genres that often featured disabled or diseased characters. Through a comprehensive analysis of focalization and narrative structure across six decades of the 19th century and six distinct genres, Articulating Bodies compellingly demonstrates that authors of fiction employed both narrative form and narrative themes to navigate the complex categorization of bodies. Throughout the Victorian era, these authors sought to both construct and challenge the boundary that separated normalcy from abnormality, employing narrative strategies to shape perceptions and understanding of disability.

As fiction evolved from the expansive hybrid novels of the early 19th century to the case-study length of fin-de-siècle mysteries, disability underwent a significant medicalization process. It transitioned from a mere spectacle to a subject of scientific inquiry and experimentation. This shift can be observed in the increasing medicalization of characters and their experiences, as authors sought to present disability as a legitimate condition that required medical attention and treatment.

Articulating Bodies offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between literature, medicine, and societal attitudes towards disability during the Victorian era. By examining the ways in which fiction shaped perceptions and understanding of disability, the book contributes to our understanding of the historical and cultural significance of this period. It also highlights the ongoing relevance of disability studies and the importance of exploring the ways in which narrative form and narrative themes can shape our understanding of the human experience.

Weight: 364g
Dimension: 155 x 235 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781802076875