127012 KO Critical Readings in Literature (2016W)

Concepts of (female & male) insanity, (public & private) institutions associated with it, attempts to treat it (Tuke; Charcot; Freud; Weir Mitchell), and the power structures that pervade all of these (Foucault) during the second half of the 19th century, will be studied in this course alongside their literary representations. This seminar is partly focused on canonical literary texts of the Victorian era (by Brontë, Collins, Braddon, Perkins Gilman, Stoker) and partly dedicated to studying how Neo-Victorian novels (by Harwood and Lucas) work with the cultural topoi installed by their 19th century intertexts. In order to keep the workload manageable, we won’t discuss the Victorian novels in full length or all their aspects, but concentrate on those passages (which will be provided as pdfs) that deal with insanity. You are, however, expected to have a general knowledge of the plot and how/by whom it is narrated for each of the novels. I also urge you to read ONE of the 19th century novels in its entirety over the summer. Jane Eyre is a proto-feminist classic and female Bildungsroman with a headstrong heroine who has a strong sense of self-worth; The Woman and White and Lady Audley’s Secret are both sensation novels with plots of intrigue and attempted murder; and Dracula is a multi-media horror novel, which tells a story of a (sexualised) invasion from the east. The choice is yours. If you already know one of them, pick and read another. The idea is to build up some collective knowledge in the room. There will be a reading test in week three. You’ll tell me which novel you read in preparation and I’ll hand you 10 basic questions on your chosen text. Everybody in class is expected to read the short story 'The Yellow Wallpaper' and both of the Neo-Victorian novels in full. Since we shall be discussing the 21st century texts in the last quarter of term, you have time to make your way through them.