Victorian London and its People in a Neo-Victorian Setting 3301-KB2411

The aim of the course is to compare the historic nineteenth-century London and its people to their Neo-Victorian image. The Neo-Victorian point of reference is Michel Faber's novel "The Crimson Petal and the White" (2002) and its TV adaptation (2011).
The subjects discussed include the division of the city into poor and affluent districts, social classes, professions, the importance of family and self-help, as well as social, moral and religious issues.
The course is divided into three parts: introduction, the comparison of the novel to the historic London and its people, and conclusions.
The first part presents a brief history of London, its development during the nineteenth century, the condition of the Victorian society, and typical characteristics of Neo-Victorianism as a genre. It provides background information and gives time to read the novel.
The main part of the course is devoted to the analysis of the novel and the comparison of the image of the Victorian London and society presented by Faber and the BBC series to the one from the nineteenth-century sources: pictures, photos, and maps, supplemented by selected secondary sources.
The last part focuses on the similarities and differences between the historic and Neo-Victorian city and its people. Depending on class dynamics, other Victorian and Neo-Victorian texts may be discussed.
The interdisciplinary approach combines the elements of culture, literature, film, history, or geography studies.

The use of so called artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the classroom is governed by the rules set forth in Resolution No. 16 of the Teaching Council for the programs English Studies, English Studies – Linguistics, and English Studies – Literature and Culture of 9 December 2025
https://ia.uw.edu.pl/fileadmin/ilustracje/dokumenty/2026/RD_IA_2025_UCHWALA_nr16_narzedzia_AI_nowelizacja_ZAL2_EN.pdf
We are analysing a novel and its adaptation, so trust your own intelligence and skills.

3 absences are allowed.

Course coordinators

Lucyna Krawczyk-Żywko

Type of course

elective courses

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

MA elective course Students registering for the course already have knowledge of the crucial historical, cultural and literary events of the Victorian era. Knowledge of the material presented on the "Introduction to the Culture of the 19th Century" would be beneficial. Please note that each student should have a copy of the book. Library catalogue: https://omnis-buw.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?vid=48OMNIS_UOW:48UOW

Learning outcomes

Knowledge
Students will have in-depth familiarity with:
K_W01 advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in neo-Victorian studies and culture and region studies, in accordance with their chosen specialization (and educational path)
K_W04 concepts and principles concerning the protection of intellectual property and copyright

Abilities
Students will be able to:
K_U01 apply the advanced terminology, theories and research methods of neo-Victorian studies to solve complex and original research problems in accordance with his/her chosen specialization (and educational path)
K_U04 apply the concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright law

Social competences
Students will be ready to:
K_K01 critically appraise their knowledge and content obtained from various sources
K_K02 recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems; consult experts when required

Assessment criteria

- continuous assessment: tasks during classes, preparation and presentation - 50% of the final mark
- oral exam: 50% of the final mark - questions on London, Victorian society and their Neo-Victorian image; Students are expected to be familiar with both the texts and the visuals

Retake exam has the same format as the exam.

Bibliography

PRIMARY SOURCES:

Faber, Michel. The Crimson Petal and the White. Canongate Books, 2002
Munden, Mark (dir.) The Crimson Petal and the White. Origin Pictures, 2011

VISUAL MATERIALS:

Booth, Charles. Maps Descriptive of London Poverty. [1888] http://booth.lse.ac.uk/static/a/4.html
Bradshaw's Illustrated Hand Book to London and its Environs. [1861] Conway, 2012
Paxman, Jeremy. The Victorians: Britain Through the Paintings of the Age. BBC Books, 2009
Paxman, Jeremy (pres.). The Victorians - Their Story In Pictures. BBC, 2009
Victorian Life in Photographs. Thames and Hudson, 1974

SECONDARY SOURCES (the most relevant fragments will be selected):

Ackroyd, Peter. London. The Biography. Vintage Books, 2001
Arnold, Catherine. Bedlam. London and Its Mad. Simon & Schuster, 2008
The Duties of Servants. A Practical Guide to the Routine of Domestic Service. [1894] Copper Beech Publishing Ltd. 1993
Garwood, Christine. Mid-Victorian Britain, 1850-89. Shire Living Histories, 2011
Hadley, Louisa. Neo-Victorian Fiction and Historical Narrative. The Victorians and Us. Palgrave Macmillan, 2010
Heilmann, Ann, Mark Llewellyn. Neo-Victorianism. The Victorians in the Twenty-First Century, 1999-2001. Palgrave Macmillan, 2010
May, Trevor. The Victorian Domestic Servant. Shire Publications, 2011
Mayhew, Henry. London Labour and the London Poor. [1861] http://books.google.pl/books/about/London_labour_and_the_London poor html?id=G4oBAAAAQAAJ&redir_esc=y
Mitchell, Sally. Daily Life in Victorian England. Greenwood Press, 1996
Picard, Liza. Victorian London. The Life of a City 1840-1870. Phoenix, 2005
Yorke, Trevor. The Victorian House Explained. Countryside Books, 2005

other sources will be adjusted to the group's needs