19th Century Sensational Novel 3301-LB114

The course aims at a comprehensive presentation of the development of popular novel genres of 19th century with the focus on the sensation novel flourishing in the 60'. The central figure being, as a matter of course, Wilkie Collins, other authors discussed will range from Dickens to Arthur Conan Doyle. The rapid development of sensation novel was preceded by the growing interest of the otherwise less narrowly defined authors in the mystery, crime or social scandal as means of propelling the plot and securing the interest of the readers. Thus, such novels as Dicken's Bleak House can be seen as immediate predecessors of the sensation novel as such, Wilkie Collins' The Woman in White and Moonstone, are analysed as both best representatives of its kind, and as forerunners of new trends in popular literature, especially detective story. Consequently, the Sherlock Holmes stories will follow the less artistic if equally successful examples of the sensation novel proper, illustrated by Braddon's (in)famous Lady Audley's Secret, and Dicken's doubly mysterious, unfinished last novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Finally a glimpse at the further development of the sensation and detective novel will be offered on the examples of Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and Philip Pullman's The Ruby in the Smoke. As the presented scope is too wide for the full presentation within one semester course, each time the course is offered a selection of the aforementioned material will feature on the reading list (including a possible addition of other novels by Wilkie Collins, for example Armadale, No Name,or The Law and the Lady).