Literature for the Common Woman: Reading Early Novels, Penny Journals, and Fanfiction
My thesis argues for the importance of studying historically dismissed forms of literature, focusing on eighteenth-century novels, Victorian penny journals, and twenty-first-century fanfiction. I discuss reception without reading, the idea that many criticisms of denigrated literary forms are motiva...
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| Format: | Dissertation |
| Language: | English |
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ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
01-01-2024
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| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | My thesis argues for the importance of studying historically dismissed forms of literature, focusing on eighteenth-century novels, Victorian penny journals, and twenty-first-century fanfiction. I discuss reception without reading, the idea that many criticisms of denigrated literary forms are motivated by classism and sexism, rather than a critical engagement with the text. I analyze contemporary criticism of early novels, penny journals, and fanfiction, demonstrating that this criticism is based on classism and sexism, rather than critical engagement. I then model a method of reading that prioritizes critical engagement with texts, illuminating the ways dismissed literary forms reflect and interact with their social world. I analyze Eliza Haywood’s Love in Excess, Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s The Octoroon, and gabriel and standbyme’s Twist and Shout, focusing on how each work addresses social issues and offers insight into the experiences of marginalized groups. Overall, my thesis demonstrates the value of historically dismissed forms of literature. |
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| ISBN: | 9798382808666 |