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Style, Science, and Nonsense: Cambridge Studies in Nineteenth Century Literature

William Powell

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Published in The Poetry Of Victorian Scientists: Style Science And Nonsense (Cambridge Studies In Nineteenth Century Literature And Culture 83)

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The nineteenth century was a time of great change and upheaval, both in the world at large and in the realm of literature. The Industrial Revolution, the rise of science, and the increasing urbanization of society all had a profound impact on the way people thought and wrote. In literature, these changes were reflected in a new emphasis on realism, naturalism, and social criticism. However, there was also a countervailing movement toward fantasy, nonsense, and the grotesque.

The Poetry of Victorian Scientists: Style Science and Nonsense (Cambridge Studies in Nineteenth Century Literature and Culture 83)

The Poetry of Victorian Scientists: Style, Science and Nonsense (Cambridge Studies in Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture Book 83)

by Daniel Brown

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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This dualism is evident in the work of some of the most famous writers of the nineteenth century, such as Lewis Carroll, Oscar Wilde, and Charles Dickens. Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass are full of nonsense and whimsy, but they also contain a sharp critique of Victorian society. Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray is a Gothic tale of horror and suspense, but it also explores the themes of beauty, morality, and the nature of art. Dickens's Great Expectations is a realistic novel about the life of a young orphan, but it also contains elements of fantasy and the supernatural.

The essays in this volume explore the complex relationship between style, science, and nonsense in nineteenth-century literature. They examine how these writers used language, form, and genre to create works that were both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Chapter 1: Nonsense and the Victorian Imagination

The first chapter of this volume explores the role of nonsense in Victorian literature. Nonsense is often seen as a form of escapism, but it can also be a powerful tool for social and political critique. In the hands of writers such as Lewis Carroll, Edward Lear, and W. S. Gilbert, nonsense became a way to challenge the conventions of Victorian society and to explore the darker side of human nature.

This chapter examines the different forms of nonsense that were popular in the Victorian era, from the lighthearted rhymes of Edward Lear to the more subversive nonsense of Lewis Carroll. It also explores the connections between nonsense and other literary genres, such as satire, fantasy, and the grotesque.

Chapter 2: Science and the Novel

The second chapter of this volume examines the relationship between science and the novel in the nineteenth century. The rise of science had a profound impact on the way writers thought about the world and their place in it. In the novel, science provided a new way to explore the human condition and to understand the social and political problems of the day.

This chapter examines the work of three novelists who were deeply influenced by science: Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and Thomas Hardy. Dickens's novels are full of scientific references and metaphors, and he often used science to explore social issues such as poverty and crime. Eliot's novels explore the psychological and moral implications of scientific discoveries, and Hardy's novels are often set in a world that is dominated by the forces of nature.

Chapter 3: Style and Social Criticism

The third chapter of this volume examines the relationship between style and social criticism in nineteenth-century literature. Style is not simply a matter of aesthetics; it can also be a powerful tool for political and social commentary. In the hands of writers such as Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, and H. G. Wells, style became a way to challenge the status quo and to expose the injustices of society.

This chapter examines the different ways that writers used style to criticize society. Wilde's epigrams and paradoxes were a way to satirize the hypocrisy and shallowness of Victorian society. Shaw's plays used humor and wit to expose the social problems of his day. Wells's science fiction novels explored the potential dangers of scientific progress and the need for social reform.

The essays in this volume provide a comprehensive overview of the complex relationship between style, science, and nonsense in nineteenth-century literature. They demonstrate how these writers used language, form, and genre to create works that were both entertaining and thought-provoking. These works continue to be relevant today, as they offer us insights into the human condition and the challenges of modern society.

The Poetry of Victorian Scientists: Style, Science and Nonsense (Cambridge Studies in Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture Book 83)

by Daniel Brown

5 out of 5