Interventions: Rethinking the Nineteenth Century

This book provides a critical overview of nineteenth-century literary studies, exploring topics such as science and technology, poetry and philosophy, the Gothic, anatomical exhibitions, liberalism, Anglo-American publishing, Punjabi popular culture, and the neo-Victorian. It offers engaging perspectives for scholars and students.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 07 May 2019
Publisher: Manchester University Press

This book is a groundbreaking intervention in the critical discourse surrounding the study of nineteenth-century literature within academic circles and beyond. It delves into a wide array of topics that shed light on the complex and multifaceted nature of this literary period. These include the intersection of science and technology, the interplay between poetry and philosophy, the haunting allure of the Gothic, the fascination with anatomical exhibitions, the global spread of liberalism, the dynamics of Anglo-American publishing, the vibrant tapestry of Punjabi popular culture, and the resurgence of the neo-Victorian in literature, film, and performance. By presenting a diverse range of intellectually stimulating perspectives, the book provides a comprehensive and engaging critical overview of the field of nineteenth-century literary studies, appealing to scholars, students, and educators alike.

The study of nineteenth-century literature has been shaped by a multitude of critical contexts, both within the academy and beyond. This book aims to intervene in these contexts and offer a fresh perspective on the literature of this period. It explores a wide range of topics, including science and technology, poetry and philosophy, the Gothic, anatomical exhibitions, the global spread of liberalism, Anglo-American publishing, Punjabi popular culture, and the neo-Victorian in literature, film, and performance.

Science and technology played a significant role in the nineteenth century, with advancements in medicine, engineering, and the sciences shaping the world in which the literature was produced. The book examines how these developments influenced the themes and motifs of nineteenth-century literature, from the scientific explorations of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to the technological anxieties of H.G. Wells's The Time Machine.

Poetry and philosophy also intersected in the nineteenth century, with poets such as Wordsworth, Blake, and Keats exploring the relationship between the human mind and the natural world. The book explores how these poets used language and imagery to convey their philosophical ideas, from the romanticism of Wordsworth's "I wandered lonely as a cloud" to the abstracted poetry of Blake's "The Tyger."

The Gothic genre emerged in the nineteenth century, with its haunting tales of horror and suspense captivating readers around the world. The book examines how the Gothic influenced the development of literature, from the early works of Ann Radcliffe to the later novels of Bram Stoker. It also explores the social and cultural implications of the Gothic, from its association with fear and anxiety to its role in shaping popular culture.

Anatomical exhibitions were another popular form of entertainment in the nineteenth century, with displays of human bodies and organs drawing large crowds. The book examines how these exhibitions influenced the literature of the period, from the medical thrillers of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to the gothic horror of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart."

The global spread of liberalism was a significant phenomenon in the nineteenth century, with ideas of democracy, freedom, and individual rights spreading across the world. The book explores how the literature of the period reflected these ideals, from the political satire of Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal to the feminist writings of Mary Wollstonecraft.

Anglo-American publishing played a crucial role in the dissemination of nineteenth-century literature, with publishers such as Penguin Books and HarperCollins shaping the way
The global spread of liberalism was a significant phenomenon in the nineteenth century, with ideas of democracy, freedom, and individual rights spreading across the world. The book explores how the literature of the period reflected these ideals, from the political satire of Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal to the feminist writings of Mary Wollstonecraft.

Anglo-American publishing played a crucial role in the dissemination of nineteenth-century literature, with publishers such as Penguin Books and HarperCollins shaping the way

Anglo-American publishing played a crucial role in the dissemination of nineteenth-century literature, with publishers such as Penguin Books and HarperCollins shaping the way that literature was marketed and consumed. The book examines how these publishers shaped the canon of nineteenth-century literature, from the popularization of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice to the emergence of the detective fiction genre with the works of Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie.

Punjabi popular culture emerged in the nineteenth century, with the arrival of Sikh immigrants to the United Kingdom. The book explores how the literature of the period reflected the experiences of these immigrants, from the works of Rabindranath Tagore and Rupa Sanghvi to the contemporary poetry of Amrita Pritam and Shiv Kumar Sharma.

The neo-Victorian in literature, film, and performance emerged in the late twentieth century, with a renewed interest in the aesthetics and values of the Victorian era. The book explores how the neo-Victorian influenced the literature, film, and performance of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, from the works of David Mitchell and Will Self to the films of Tim Burton and the performances of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive and engaging critical overview of the field of nineteenth-century literary studies, exploring a wide range of topics that shed light on the complex and multifaceted nature of this literary period. By presenting a diverse range of intellectually stimulating perspectives, it provides a valuable resource for scholars, students, and educators alike. The study of nineteenth-century literature continues to be an important area of research and exploration, and this book contributes to the ongoing dialogue surrounding this fascinating field.

Weight: 324g
Dimension: 139 x 215 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526108708