Assessing Intelligence: The Bildungsroman and the Politics of Human Potential in England, 1860 1910

Assessing Intelligence explores how Victorian novelists engaged with the new theories of human intelligence from psychology and evolutionary science, using the bildungsroman to examine the moral and political implications of the IQ model and affirm the equality of minds.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The emergence of new theories of human intelligence from late nineteenth-century psychology and evolutionary science prompted a response from Victorian novelists. Assessing Intelligence delves into the genealogy of the modern concept of IQ, exploring how five notable writers, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy, Henry James, HG Wells, and Virginia Woolf, employed the bildungsroman, or the novel of education, to grapple with the moral and political implications of the IQ model of intelligence and the fantasies of meritocracy it engendered. By drawing upon the insights of Michel Foucault and Jacques Ranciere, Sara Lyons contends that Victorian and Edwardian novelists oscillated between complicity in the biopolitics of intelligence and a quest for radical means to affirm the equality of minds.

George Eliot, renowned for her literary prowess, delved into the realm of intelligence in her novel Middlemarch. Through the character of Lydgate, Eliot examined the impact of education and social class on intelligence, raising questions about the fairness of the IQ model and the notion of meritocracy. Hardy, in his novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles, portrayed the limitations of intelligence and the destructive power of social conventions, challenging the notion of a fixed and universal measure of intelligence. Henry James, in his masterpiece The Portrait of a Lady, explored the complexities of human nature and the influence of upbringing on intelligence, highlighting the subjective nature of perception and the role of environment in shaping intelligence. HG Wells, in his science fiction masterpiece The Time Machine, envisioned a future society where intelligence was determined by genetic engineering, raising ethical dilemmas about the nature of intelligence and the potential for discrimination. Virginia Woolf, in her novel To the Lighthouse, depicted the lives of individuals and their relationships, exploring the complexities of human consciousness and the role of intelligence in navigating the world.

In their works, these novelists sought to challenge the dominant narratives of intelligence and to explore the diverse ways in which minds can be shaped and developed. They questioned the notion of a fixed and universal measure of intelligence, highlighting the subjective nature of perception and the role of environment in shaping intelligence. Through their characters and narratives, they explored the moral and political implications of the IQ model and the fantasies of meritocracy it provoked, advocating for a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of human intelligence.

Moreover, Victorian and Edwardian novelists were not only interested in the intellectual dimensions of intelligence but also in its emotional and psychological aspects. They explored the relationship between intelligence and emotion, the impact of intelligence on personal identity, and the psychological consequences of intelligence disparities. Eliot, for instance, delved into the emotional struggles of Lydgate, highlighting the emotional toll of social pressures and the limitations of intelligence in navigating complex social situations. Hardy, in Tess of the D'Urbervilles, portrayed the emotional isolation and vulnerability of the protagonist, emphasizing the emotional dimensions of intelligence and the importance of empathy and compassion. James, in The Portrait of a Lady, explored the complex psychology of the protagonist, delving into her inner thoughts and emotions, highlighting the emotional intelligence and the subjective nature of perception. Wells, in The Time Machine, depicted the emotional journey of the protagonist, exploring the emotional consequences of time travel and the impact of intelligence on personal growth and development. Woolf, in To the Lighthouse, portrayed the emotional complexities of the characters and their relationships, emphasizing the emotional intelligence and the subjective nature of experience.

In conclusion, Victorian and Edwardian novelists engaged with the new theories of human intelligence from late nineteenth-century psychology and evolutionary science in profound and innovative ways. Through their use of the bildungsroman, they explored the moral and political implications of the IQ model of intelligence and the fantasies of meritocracy it provoked. By drawing upon the insights of Michel Foucault and Jacques Ranciere, they sought to affirm the equality of minds and to challenge the dominant narratives of intelligence. Through their exploration of the intellectual, emotional, and psychological dimensions of intelligence, they contributed to a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of human intelligence and its role in shaping individuals and society.

Weight: 596g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474497664