Creating Character: Theories of Nature and Nurture in Victorian Sensation Fiction

This book explores how the two sensation authors of the 1860s, Mary Elizabeth Braddon and Wilkie Collins, engaged with nineteenth-century ideas about personality formation and the extent to which it can be influenced by the subject or by others. It demonstrates that the creation of character is a complex interplay of internal and external factors, and how sensation authors situated themselves at the intersections of established and developing, conservative and radical, learned and sensationalist thought.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2023
Publisher: Manchester University Press

This captivating book delves into the fascinating realms of the literary works of two renowned sensation authors of the 1860s, Mary Elizabeth Braddon and Wilkie Collins. Through innovative readings of seven sensation novels, it explores the intricate ways in which these authors engaged with the prevailing ideas of the nineteenth century concerning personality formation and the extent to which it could be influenced by the individual or by external factors. The authors challenge Victorian theories of heredity, degeneration, inherent constitution, education, upbringing, and social circumstance, presenting a nuanced portrayal of character creation. Rather than offering a simplistic dichotomy of 'nature versus nurture,' Braddon and Collins demonstrate the intricate interplay of internal and external factors that shape a character's development. By drawing on a diverse range of sources, including medical textbooks, sociological treatises, and popular periodicals, Creating Character sheds light on how sensation authors positioned themselves at the crossroads of established and emerging, conservative and radical, learned and sensationalist thought regarding the construction and modification of identity. This insightful exploration provides a fresh perspective on the literary contributions of Braddon and Collins, highlighting their ability to challenge societal norms and explore the complex nature of human personality.

Weight: 314g
Dimension: 216 x 139 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526171818