Narrative, Affect and Victorian Sensation: Wilful Bodies

Wilful Bodies argues that Victorian sensation novels develop complex theories of narrative affect, expanding the field of sensation fiction and reading lesser-known female authors alongside a range of writers not typically considered sensational.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Victorian sensation novels, often dismissed as plot-driven, silly, and feminine, have been reevaluated in recent years as complex works that explore narrative affect, our embodied responses to reading, imagining, and writing narratives. These novels argue that feelings are not bound to a single body and that bodies generate meaning when they are put in relation to other bodies and systems of knowledge. The popular sensation novel, therefore, should be understood as a key contribution to the novels' assessment of its own workings, especially the ways in which reading and writing figure as affective acts.

Affect, a term coined by the French philosopher Henri Bergson, refers to the way in which our bodies respond to external stimuli. In the context of Victorian sensation novels, affect is particularly important because it allows us to understand how the novels' characters experience and express their emotions. The novels often depict characters who are overwhelmed by their emotions, and who struggle to control their behavior. This can be seen in the case of Jane Eyre, who is constantly torn between her love for Mr. Rochester and her sense of duty to her family.

One of the key ways in which Victorian sensation novels explore affect is through the use of sensory imagery. The novels are filled with vivid descriptions of the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the world, and these descriptions are often used to evoke a sense of emotion in the reader. For example, in Jane Eyre, the description of Mr. Rochester's house is filled with sensory imagery that evokes a sense of fear and dread.

Another way in which Victorian sensation novels explore affect is through the use of narrative structure. The novels often follow a linear structure, but they also often include flashbacks and other narrative devices that allow the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the characters' pasts and present experiences. This can be seen in the case of Wuthering Heights, where the narrative structure is used to explore the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff.

In addition to exploring affect, Victorian sensation novels also explore the relationship between narrative and power. The novels often depict characters who are oppressed by society, and who use their narratives to resist their oppression. This can be seen in the case of Jane Eyre, where Jane uses her narrative to assert her independence and to challenge the social norms of her time.

However, Victorian sensation novels have also been criticized for their portrayal of women. The novels often depict women as weak and dependent, and they often use their narratives to reinforce these stereotypes. This can be seen in the case of Wuthering Heights, where Catherine is portrayed as a weak and dependent woman who is easily manipulated by Heathcliff.

Despite these criticisms, Victorian sensation novels remain an important and influential genre of literature. They have been studied by scholars from a wide range of disciplines, and they have had a significant impact on the way that we think about literature and the human experience.

One of the reasons why Victorian sensation novels are so important is that they challenge our assumptions about the nature of literature. The novels often depict characters who are not typical of the literary canon, and they often use their narratives to explore the darker aspects of human experience. This can be seen in the case of Wuthering Heights, where the narrative explores the relationship between love and violence.

Another reason why Victorian sensation novels are so important is that they have had a significant impact on the way that we think about the human body. The novels often depict characters who are physically and emotionally damaged, and they often use their narratives to explore the ways in which the body can be healed. This can be seen in the case of Jane Eyre, where Jane's physical and emotional scars are healed through her relationship with Mr. Rochester.

In conclusion, Victorian sensation novels are complex works that explore narrative affect, our embodied responses to reading, imagining, and writing narratives. They argue that feelings are not bound to a single body and that bodies generate meaning when they are put in relation to other bodies and systems of knowledge. The popular sensation novel should be understood as a key contribution to the novels' assessment of its own workings, especially the ways in which reading and writing figure as affective acts. Despite their criticisms, Victorian sensation novels remain an important and influential genre of literature, and they have had a significant impact on the way that we think about literature and the human experience.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399522199