Dickens and Victorian Psychology: Introspection, First-Person Narration, and the Mind

Charles Dickens' fiction is placed in the context of Victorian psychological debate by Dickens and Victorian Psychology, which explores his growing reliance on introspective modes such as free indirect discourse and first-person narration to depict his characters' inner thoughts. The book argues that these moments of inwardness constitute an attempt to resist the encroachment of psycho-physiology by advocating for the mind's transcendence of the body. It also highlights the ambiguities and contradictions that arise from a material psychology's appropriation of such an inward view, shedding light on Dickens' experiments with narrative point of view and the strategies employed by psycho-physiologists to address concerns about immortality.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Charles Dickens' fiction is situated at the forefront of Victorian psychological discourse, as his works exhibit a notable reliance on introspective modes and moments that seek to capture the inner perspectives of his characters. Throughout his career, Dickens increasingly employed the introspective mode, encompassing various techniques such as free indirect discourse and first-person narration, to depict the inner workings of his characters' minds.

In the context of nineteenth-century dualist psychologies, which posited the mind's immortality as contingent upon its immateriality, introspection remained the dominant investigative approach. These theories found support in the subjective experiences of consciousness, which suggested a profound ontological distinction between the mind and the body. Consequently, this book contends that the instances of inwardness in Dickens' fiction represent deliberate efforts to counter the encroachment of psycho-physiology. By presenting a case for the mind's transcendence of the body, these moments challenge the dominance of psycho-physiological theories and advocate for a more holistic understanding of the human psyche.

However, Dickens and Victorian Psychology also delves into the consequences of a material psychology's appropriation of an inward view. By tracing the ambiguities and contradictions that emerge in Dickens' representations of the mind, the book reveals the complexities and tensions inherent in this philosophical framework. It sheds light on the ways in which psycho-physiologists sought to redefine the terminology of mainstream dualism to accommodate their theories, leading to the emergence of new concepts and terminologies.

Through its exploration of these themes, Dickens and Victorian Psychology offers a valuable perspective on Dickens' experiments with narrative point of view. It broadens our understanding of the strategies employed by material psychology to address the anxieties associated with psycho-physiology, which perceived the mind's immortality as jeopardized by scientific advancements. By highlighting the overlooked context for Dickens' narrative innovations, this book contributes to a more comprehensive appraisal of his literary contributions and the broader psychological debates of his era.

Weight: 594g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192858429