The approach of this dissertation is based on New Historicism and Cultural Materialism, and examines the processes of social change in the novel. It contextualises the industrial plot of “Shirley” on two time levels, on the level of the setting (1811-12) and on the level of the novel’s production and publication (1848-49).The study first elaborates on "Shirley" as a condition of England novel before shedding light on the historical conditions and their representation in the novel’s setting. Subsequently, it describes Luddism and Chartism as historical working-class movements, to show that Charlotte Brontë’s choice of Luddism was partly motivated by fears of political reprisals, by institutional constraints of the publishing sector, as well as by the power of public opinion. Furthermore, this paper deals with the author’s technique of backdating as a strategy to indirectly comment on Chartism. The examination then turns to the novel’s representation of the Luddites, and discusses whether the portrayal of the machine wreckers is just a “lurid travesty”, as Terry Eagleton contends (cf. Eagleton, 49). It demonstrates that the novel is based on thoroughly researched historical facts and exhibits an ambivalent attitude towards the weavers, which suggests a Tory and middle-class view on the Luddites. By suggesting paternalism as a solution to the plight of the working classes “Shirley” not only criticizes prevailing philosophical and economic currents, like liberalism and utilitarianism, but also resembles the cultural criticism of the Scottish historian and essayist Thomas Carlyle. The study also discusses further possible explanations for the peculiar portrayal of the Luddites. By referring to the relationships between the upper and middle classes in the 19th century it demonstrates that the novel can be read as an advocacy of a class-consolidation between the gentry and the industrial middle classes in order to counter Chartism. The religious affiliations of the novel’s Luddites and the clergy’s demeanour towards the weavers allow another interpretation which foregrounds rivalries between the Anglican Church and dissenting denominations. A third approach relates Shirley to the liberal-progressive Whig-interpretation of history and suggests that the historical setting and the industrial events repudiate this notion by a cyclical idea of history based on suffering and resistance. [...]
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Theory and Methodology
- 2.1. New Historicism
- 2.1.1. Theoretical Assumptions
- 2.1.2. Methodology
- 2.1.3. Possible Foci
- 2.2. Cultural Materialism
- 2.3. Approach and Methodology of this Study
- 2.4. Social Change
- 3. Main Part
- 3.1. Shirley as a Victorian Multi-Plot Novel
- 3.2. The Industrial Plot
- 3.2.1. Shirley - A Condition of England Novel
- 3.2.2. The Setting - The Historical Socio-Economic Situation of 1811/12 and Its Representation
- 3.2.2.1. The Historical Socio-Economic Situation of 1811/12 – Napoleonic Wars and Orders in Council
- 3.2.2.2. The Representation of 1811/12 in Shirley
- 3.2.3. Luddism and Chartist Movement - The Technique of Backdating
- 3.2.3.1. The Luddite Movement
- 3.2.3.2. The Chartist Movement
- 3.2.3.3. Reasons for Backdating
- 3.2.3.3.1. Personal and Political Factors
- 3.2.3.3.2. Institutional Factors - The Victorian Publishing Sector
- 3.2.3.3.3. Backdating as a Technique for a Subtle Comment on Chartism
- 3.2.3.4. Results
- 3.2.4. The Portrayal of the Luddites – “A Lurid Travesty”?
- 3.2.4.1 Sound Research
- 3.2.4.2. Tory Views and the Myth of the Luddites - A Paternalist Solution
- 3.2.4.3. Relationship between Gentry and Middle-Class as the Main Focus
- 3.2.4.4. Links to Other Discourses
Objectives and Key Themes
This study aims to analyze Charlotte Brontë's Shirley, focusing on its representation of social change in 19th-century England. It utilizes New Historicism and Cultural Materialism to examine the novel's portrayal of historical events and social movements, particularly Luddism and Chartism, within the broader context of the "Condition of England" question.
- The representation of social and economic conditions in 19th-century England.
- The portrayal of Luddism and the Chartist movement in Shirley and the techniques employed by Brontë.
- The novel's engagement with the "Women's Question" and its exploration of gender roles.
- The use of historical backdating in the novel and its implications.
- Brontë's critique of various social and political perspectives of her time.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Charlotte Brontë's Shirley, highlighting its departure from her other novels by focusing on socio-economic issues and social conflict rather than individual experiences. It briefly surveys various critical approaches to the novel, including biographical, Marxist, psychological, regional, and feminist interpretations, establishing the breadth of scholarly engagement with the text and setting the stage for the current study's focus on social change. The chapter emphasizes the novel's historical setting and its presentation of "real," unromantic aspects of 19th-century England.
2. Theory and Methodology: This chapter outlines the theoretical framework for the study, focusing on New Historicism and Cultural Materialism. It details the theoretical assumptions, methodology, and potential areas of focus for each approach. The chapter then explains the specific approach and methodology used in the analysis of Shirley, emphasizing the study's focus on the representation of social change within the historical context of the novel.
3. Main Part: This section forms the core of the analysis, delving into the multifaceted aspects of Shirley's engagement with social change. It examines the novel's multi-plot structure, focusing primarily on the "Industrial Plot" and its depiction of the socio-economic conditions of 1811/12, including the Luddite and Chartist movements. The section explores Brontë's techniques, notably the backdating of events, and analyzes the novel's portrayal of the working class, the gentry, and the middle class, examining the interplay between these groups and their perspectives on industrialization and social reform. Furthermore, it considers how the novel interacts with various contemporary discourses, including religious denominations and Victorian notions of history and progress. A significant part of this analysis also focuses on the representation of women and their roles within the socio-economic context portrayed in the novel.
Keywords
19th-century England, Social Change, Victorian Novel, Charlotte Brontë, Shirley, Luddism, Chartism, Women's Question, New Historicism, Cultural Materialism, Condition of England, Industrialization, Class Conflict, Gender Roles, Historical Representation, Literary Analysis.
Charlotte Brontë's *Shirley*: A Study of Social Change - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this study?
This study analyzes Charlotte Brontë's novel Shirley, examining its portrayal of social change in 19th-century England. It particularly focuses on the novel's representation of historical events and social movements, such as Luddism and Chartism, within the context of the "Condition of England" question.
What theoretical frameworks are used in this analysis?
The study utilizes New Historicism and Cultural Materialism as its primary theoretical frameworks. These approaches help to analyze the novel's historical context and the interplay between literature and social forces.
What are the key themes explored in *Shirley*?
Key themes include the representation of social and economic conditions in 19th-century England; the portrayal of Luddism and the Chartist movement; the novel's engagement with the "Women's Question" and gender roles; the use of historical backdating; and Brontë's critique of various social and political perspectives of her time.
How is the novel's historical context addressed?
The study extensively examines the socio-economic conditions of 1811/12 in England, including the impact of the Napoleonic Wars and the Orders in Council. It analyzes how these historical realities are represented in the novel's narrative.
What is the significance of the "Industrial Plot" in *Shirley*?
The "Industrial Plot" is a central focus, analyzing the novel's depiction of the Luddite and Chartist movements, and the interactions between the working class, gentry, and middle class during this period of industrialization and social unrest.
What role does "backdating" play in the novel?
The study explores Brontë's use of historical backdating in Shirley, investigating the reasons behind this technique and its implications for the novel's representation of social and political issues.
How does the study approach the analysis of *Shirley*?
The analysis is structured around a detailed examination of the novel's multi-plot structure, with a particular emphasis on the "Industrial Plot." The study uses the chosen theoretical frameworks to interpret the representation of characters, events, and social dynamics within their historical context.
What are the chapter summaries?
The study includes summaries of each chapter: Chapter 1 introduces the novel and its critical reception; Chapter 2 outlines the theoretical framework (New Historicism and Cultural Materialism); and Chapter 3 provides a detailed analysis of the novel's engagement with social change, focusing on the "Industrial Plot" and its depiction of the socio-economic conditions of 1811/12.
What are the keywords associated with this study?
Keywords include: 19th-century England, Social Change, Victorian Novel, Charlotte Brontë, Shirley, Luddism, Chartism, Women's Question, New Historicism, Cultural Materialism, Condition of England, Industrialization, Class Conflict, Gender Roles, Historical Representation, Literary Analysis.
What is the overall conclusion of the study (implied)?
The implied conclusion suggests that Shirley offers a complex and nuanced portrayal of social change in 19th-century England. Brontë's use of literary techniques, historical context, and theoretical framework reveals a multifaceted critique of the socio-political climate, class dynamics, and the "Condition of England" during this transformative period.
- Quote paper
- Dipl. Jurist Marco Sievers (Author), 2008, Social Change in the 19th Century Novel, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/132464
