Re-Reading the Age of Innovation: Victorians, Moderns, and Literary Newness, 1830-1950

The 1830–1950 period was an age of unprecedented innovation, with new inventions and scientific discoveries leading to new forms and genres of literary texts. This collection argues for a new framework that reveals how the concept of innovation generated forms of literary newness that drew novelists, poets, and other creative figures into dialogic networks of experiment.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 244 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The 1830-1950 era was a remarkable period of unparalleled innovation, marked by groundbreaking inventions, scientific discoveries, and profound reevaluations of religion, gender, and the human mind. This transformative era left an indelible mark on a wide array of literary texts, which this collection seeks to explore. Rather than categorizing these texts as Victorian or modernist, the collection proposes a fresh framework that reveals how the concept of innovation fostered novel forms of literary newness that brought together novelists, poets, and other creative figures across this period in dynamic dialogic networks of experimentation.

In the 14 chapters of this volume, the authors delve into how inventions such as the rotary print press, hot air balloon, and emerging debates about science, trade, and colonialism gave rise to new forms and genres. By examining a diverse range of texts and writers, from well-known novelists like Conrad, Dickens, Hardy, and Woolf to lesser-known figures like Charlotte Mew, Elías Mar, and Walter Frances White, the chapters in this collection re-read these texts within the context of an age characterized by collaboration and community rather than division and divide.

Through their meticulous analysis, the authors shed light on how the innovations of the 1830-1950 era not only shaped the literary landscape but also had a profound impact on society as a whole. They highlight the ways in which these innovations facilitated the exchange of ideas, fostered creativity, and challenged established norms and beliefs. The era's innovations in communication, transportation, and technology, for instance, opened up new avenues for artistic expression and collaboration, allowing writers and artists to transcend geographical boundaries and connect with a broader audience.

Moreover, the authors argue that the 1830-1950 era was a time of profound social and cultural transformation. The emergence of new ideologies, such as socialism, communism, and feminism, challenged traditional power structures and paved the way for greater social justice and equality. The industrial revolution, which brought about significant economic changes and the rise of urbanization, also had a profound impact on the lives of ordinary people, shaping their experiences and perspectives.

In conclusion, the 1830-1950 era was a period of unparalleled innovation that left an indelible mark on literature and society. This collection offers a fresh perspective on this transformative era, highlighting the ways in which inventions, scientific discoveries, and social movements facilitated new forms of literary newness and shaped the course of history. By re-reading these texts within the framework of innovation, the authors invite readers to appreciate the rich tapestry of creativity and experimentation that characterized this remarkable period.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032043623