In this course we will examine the idea of “character”
in Victorian culture. This is especially pertinent in light
of the recent claims by social conservatives interested in
reviving “character” as an explanatory category.
Many are drawn to the Victorians who, as Gertrude Himmelfarb
has recently argued, had the courage to believe in “social
stigmas” – the necessary corollaries of “values.”
In this discourse, among other things, the term “character”
seems to perform plenty of ideological work as shorthand for
the difficult-to-explain “causes” of behavior.
In this course we will pose a number of
questions about the Victorian meanings of that mysterious
entity “character.” Questions include: What kind
of work does the notion of “character” do? Are
“subjects” and “characters” identical?
Is the Victorian notion of “character” adequate
to account for human agency or is it simply a shorthand term
obscuring rather than illuminating a field of multiple determinations?
What does Victorian fiction have to say about “character”
as the origin of behavior? What role did the emergence of
a self-aware middle class have in constructing the notion
of “character”? Can “character” be
thought in the absence of its opposite number – “degraded
character” or “corrupt character”?
Our focus in the course will be both theoretical
and literary. Readings include Foucault’s Discipline
and Punish, Elias’ The Civilizing Process,
Freud’s Beyond the Pleasure Principle and “Character
and Anal Eroticism,” and excerpts from James Kincaid’s
Child-Loving. The literary texts include a selection
of classic Bildungsromanen including Jane Eyre,
Great Expectations, Tom Brown’s Schooldays,
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, What
Maisie Knew, Child of the Jago, and The
Jungle Books. These will be supplemented by some shorter
poems including “Goblin Market” and “Little
Seal-Skin.” Requirements for ENG 430 include 3 critical
papers, occasional in-class quizzes, and regular contributions
to class discussion both online and in-class. Requirements
for ENG 535 include 4 critical papers, occasional in-class
quizzes, and regular contributions to class discussion both
online and in-class.
3/11 Can Character Be Lost? Christina Rosetti, "Goblin Market" and
Eliza Keary, "Little Seal-Skin"
3/18 No Class: Spring Break
3/25 Introduction to Muscular Christianity and MasculinityTom Brown's Schooldays;
"Character and Anal Eroticism"***
4/1 What Not To Say to Children What Maisie Knew; Kincaid
selection
4/8 cont.
4/15 Animal Character The Jungle Books****
4/22 cont.
4/29 Lower-Class Character Child of the Jago
5/6 cont.*****
* Due date of paper #1, ENG 535
**Due date of paper #1, ENG 430
***Due date of paper #2, ENG 535 and ENG 430
****Due date of paper #3, ENG 535
*****Due date of final critical research paper, ENG 535 and
430
Requirements
ENG 430: The grade
breakdown is as follows:
25%: quiz grades, class and online participation,
attendance
20%: critical paper #1
20%: critical paper #2
35%: final critical research paper
The first two critical papers should be
5-7 pages in length. Topics can be found on Blackboard. These
papers are to be submitted to the digital drop box in Blackboard
no later than 11:59.59 pm on the due date. Papers will be
reduced a grade for every day they are late. Use MLA Format
for citations.
The final paper, a critical research paper,
should be 10-12 pages in length. You should use at least three
secondary sources.
Quizzes are given periodically on the reading.
You are also given a grade for the quality and frequency of
your online responses on Blackboard and on your contributions
to class discussion. Attendance at all classes is mandatory.
You have the option to revise 1 of your critical papers. If
you submit a revision, the grade of the original paper and
the grade of the revision will be averaged together.
ENG 535: The grade breakdown is as follows:
25%: quiz grades, class and online participation,
attendance
15%: critical paper #1
15%: critical paper #2
15% critical paper #3
30%: final critical research paper
The first three critical papers should
be 5-7 pages in length. Topics can be found on Blackboard.
These papers are to be submitted to the digital drop box in
Blackboard no later than 11:59.59 pm on the due date. Papers
will be reduced a grade for every day they are late. Use MLA
Format for citations.
The final paper, a critical research paper,
should be 12-15 pages in length. You should use at least three
secondary sources.
Quizzes are given periodically on the reading.
You are also given a grade for the quality and frequency of
your online responses on Blackboard and on your contributions
to class discussion. Attendance at all classes is mandatory.
