The aim of the course is to deepen students' knowledge of 18th and 19th-century English fiction. Students are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the origins and development of the English novel and be able to contextualise the literary works discussed within the historical, social, cultural and literary contexts in which they were produced.
Students are required to have a level of English proficiency sufficient to follow the lectures and understand the texts studied
The course will consist of lectures during which students will engage in discussions and readings
Students must demonstrate their ability to read, translate, and analyse the primary texts studied. They should also be able to explain the literary and cultural phenomena that characterised the historical period in question, demonstrating their critical thinking skills. They will also be expected to be able to identify the literary and cultural phenomena that characterise the historical period to which the course refers, demonstrating that they have developed critical processing skills.
Bertinetti P., English Literature. A Short History, 2016 chapters on 18th and 19th century
Ciocca R., I volti dell’altro, IUO; 1990, pp. 133-154, 237-277, 291-304, 316-335.
Sherry J., “Pride and Prejudice. The Limits of Society”, Vol. 19, No. 4, Nineteenth Century (Autumn, 1979), pp. 609-622.
Watt I., The Rise of the Novel, Bodley Head, 2015 chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10
Wright A., “The Female Gothic”, in The Cambridge Companion to Frankenstein, Smith A. (ed.), pp. 101-115.
Students are asked to read and study three of the following novels, in English in their unabridged versions:
Daniel Defoe, The Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
Jonathan Swift, Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World
Samuel Richardson, Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus
Robert Louis Stevenson, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Part of the reading material will be available in the devoted folder in the course’s Team. Further reading material may be added during the course and shared with the students on Teams.
The course focuses on the birth and development of the English novel between the 18th and 19th centuries. During the lessons, particular attention will be devoted to the critical study of novels belonging to the English literary canon, such as Robinson Crusoe, Pamela, Gulliver's Travels, Pride and Prejudice, Frankenstein, and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
English
