Middlebrow Fiction Analysis (1859-1945)
6 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the thesis's central argument?

The thesis argues that the literary clerk, initially viewed as a nonentity, became emblematic of urban modernity by the early twentieth century, uniting the middle and high brows. It challenges our understanding of modernist fiction by focusing on middlebrow texts that explore the 'clerkly' experiences of office work, suburban living, and the act of rambling as a way to escape the confines of societal expectations.

What is the key to understanding the clerk's identity?

The clerk's identity is shaped by the spaces he inhabits, such as the office, the suburb, and the ramble. Each of these spaces provides opportunities for him to challenge societal expectations and explore his individuality.

The thesis argues that the clerical class is a symbol of the nation's economic and social structure.

True (A)

What is the author's main argument regarding the role of the clerk in middlebrow fiction?

<p>The author argues that the clerk becomes the secret hero of English modernity by acting on society's criticisms via his written work, ultimately making English culture distinctly 'clerkly'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the author, what is the most significant aspect of the clerk’s experience?

<p>The yearning for a more fulfilling life outside of the office. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the author not extensively discuss the impact of World War I and World War II on the clerical experience?

<p>The author argues that most of the novels studied focused on the expansion of the bureaucratic sector, suburban life changes, and general concerns within the clerical world. While acknowledging the vast social and political upheaval of these periods, the author focuses on the period after 1880 and before 1945 as it demonstrates the continuity of the clerk's experience and the enduring nature of the cultural and economic forces that shaped the lives of clerks during those times.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

The Literary Clerk

A literary character representing the lower-middle-class worker, often associated with offices and urban modernity.

Topographical Study

A study that focuses on the spaces and places associated with a specific subject or theme.

Suburbanization

The movement of populations from cities to suburbs, particularly during the 19th century.

Modernity

The period of rapid industrialization and technological advancement, primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Middlebrow Fiction

A literary genre that focuses on the lives and experiences of ordinary people.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Classical Realism

A type of literary realism that emphasizes objectivity, detail, and a focus on social issues.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Literary History

The practice of using literature to examine and understand social classes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Subculture

A social group characterized by its distinct cultural norms and values, often associated with a particular occupation or lifestyle.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cultural Capital

The acquisition of knowledge, skills, and social connections that provide advantages in society.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Clerkly Stereotype

The tendency of lower-middle-class workers to be represented in literature as lacking in ambition or individuality.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Personal Experience

A process of writing or creating that involves taking inspiration from one's own personal experiences or observations.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Clerical Masculinity

The tendency for clerks to be portrayed in fiction as weak, effeminate, and lacking in physical strength.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Bookshelves in Fiction

A literary device of using a character's book collection to reveal their interests, values, and social status.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Readership Analysis

The process of analyzing texts to understand the intended audience and their impact on the meaning of the work.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Modernism

The cultural movement of the early 20th century that sought to challenge traditional values and artistic styles.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Everyday Life

A condition or experience that is perceived as ordinary, mundane, or unremarkable.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Escape Narrative

A type of narrative that focuses on the protagonist's attempts to escape from a limiting or oppressive reality.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Everyman

A literary character who embodies universal human qualities, making them relatable to a wide audience.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ramble Narrative

A literary genre that explores the themes of adventure, nature, and escapism, often set in rural areas.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Escape

A series of physical or mental actions taken to break free from a confining situation.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Clerkly Culture

The social and cultural values and practices associated with the lower-middle-class, particularly those working in offices.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Despair

The feeling of a sense of powerlessness or hopelessness in the face of a situation that cannot be controlled.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Narrative of Inactivity

The tendency of characters in a story to remain passive or inactive, often due to their limitations or circumstances.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Modernism

A literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century, often characterized by experimentation and a focus on individual consciousness.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Hegemony

The perception that a particular social class or group has become dominant in society.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Nation as a Metaphor

A concept that emphasizes the significance of a particular social group as a representation of national identity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Satire

A type of humorous writing that mocks and satirizes the behaviors and mannerisms of a particular social class.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Relatability

The process of making a concept or idea relatable to a wider audience.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Subversion

The process of challenging existing norms and assumptions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Mirroring of Reality

The phenomenon of a work of literature reflecting or mirroring the lives of its intended audience.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Character Construction

The process of using language to establish a specific character type or social category.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Textual Analysis

The process of analyzing and interpreting texts to understand the underlying themes and ideas.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Thesis Title and Author

  • Title: 'WHAT THOUGHT OF 'HEAD OFFICE' TO "ONE OFF HIS HEAD"": ESCAPING 'CLERKLY' LIVES' IN MIDDLEBROW FICTION (1859-1945)
  • Author: Nicola Jane Bishop, B.A., M.A. (Lancaster University)

Thesis Summary/Abstract

  • Thesis explores the literary clerk's transition from a mundane figure to an 'Everyman' figure emblematic of urban modernity in early 20th century.
  • Analyzes texts from the middlebrow genre: Victor Canning, Norman Collins, Keble Howard, and others.
  • These authors often highlight the clerk's struggle and hardship within the office.
  • The thesis examines 'escapes' portrayed: subversion of office time, the pleasures of suburbs, and the ramble as an adventure.
  • Shows how these clerical narratives explored wider anxieties of 19th/20th century modernity.
  • Investigates how clerks became emblematic of 'ordinary' modernity in the early 20th century.

Theses Chapters

  • Introduction
  • Chapter One: The Office
  • Chapter Two: The Suburbs
  • Chapter Three: The Ramble
  • Conclusion: Everyman a Clerk
  • Bibliography

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Description

This thesis examines the evolution of the clerk in middlebrow fiction, illustrating how this figure transforms into a symbol of urban modernity from 1859 to 1945. It analyzes various texts and themes such as office life, suburban pleasures, and adventures that reflect broader societal anxieties of the period. The study uncovers the significance of the clerk as an Everyman in early 20th-century narratives.

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser