UID:
almahu_9947413793402882
Format:
1 online resource (317 pages) :
,
digital, PDF file(s).
ISBN:
9781571137906 (ebook)
Content:
Undoubtedly the best-selling author of his day and well loved by readers in succeeding generations, Charles Dickens was not always a favorite among critics. Celebrated for his novels advocating social reform, for half a century after his death he was ridiculed by those academics who condescended to write about him. Only the faithful band of devotees who called themselves Dickensians kept alive an interest in his work. Then, during the Second World War, he was resurrected by critics, and was soon being hailed as the foremost writer of his age, a literary genius alongside Shakespeare and Milton. More recently, Dickens has again been taken to task by a new breed of literary theorists who fault his chauvinism and imperialist attitudes. Whether he has been adored or despised, however, one thing is certain: no other Victorian novelist has generated more critical commentary. This book traces Dickens's reputation from the earliest reviews through the work of early 21st-century commentators, showing how judgments of Dickens changed with new standards for evaluating fiction. Mazzeno balances attention to prominent critics from the late 19th century through the first three quarters of the 20th with an emphasis on the past three decades, during which literary theory has opened up new ways of reading Dickens. What becomes clear is that, in attempting to provide fresh insight into Dickens's writings, critics often reveal as much about the predilections of their own age as they do about the novelist. Laurence W. Mazzeno is president emeritus of Alvernia University, Reading, Pennsylvania.
Note:
Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 02 Oct 2015).
,
The Dickens phenomenon (1836-1870) -- The birth of the Dickens industry and the reaction against Victorianism (1870-1914) -- Dickens among the moderns (1915-1940) -- The tide turns (1940-1959) -- Dickens and mainstream academic criticism (1960-1969) -- The Dickens centenary and after (1970-1979) -- Dickens in an age of theory I : new theories, new readings (1980-2000) -- Dickens in an age of theory II : the persistence of traditional criticism (1980-2000) -- The future of Dickens studies : trends in the twenty-first century -- Major works by Charles Dickens -- Chronological list of works cited.
Additional Edition:
Print version: ISBN 9781571133175
Language:
English
Subjects:
English Studies
URL:
http://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/9781571137906/type/BOOK
URL:
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