Can you, as a literary critic, determine a difference in quality of the writing between Braddon and any of the other, usually considered more serious, women writers of the nineteenth century?
Also, do you agree with Beth Palmer that the novel seems to be self-conscious (aware) of the place and audience and viability of serialized fiction?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
There is a definite difference in the quality of the writing between Braddon and the other women writers of the nineteenth century we have read so far this semester. The major difference is in the audience and in their interaction. Braddon and other sensation writers were writing for an audience that required them to shift their quality in attempt to produce quantity. In my opinion, as well as Palmer, Sensation novels are victims of mass production. They appeal to entertainment and not to further knowledge or implement a moral code. Sensation novels are beach reads or as we would call them “easy reads”. They are catchy, trendy, and superficial in comparison to more serious writers.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Beth Palmer that the novel seems to be aware of the setting and audience. Sensation novels “dumb” down to a level that all can read and be entertained by. They are written for the common reader, the newspaper and magazine subscribes, and not for the scholarly audience as before. They are also written for the purpose of serialized fiction, in that there is never a dull moment; there is always a lingering plot that begs the reader to seek more. Despite the lack of quality, I find these readings more entertaining, call me a common reader, but I have enjoyed Lady Audley’s Secret immensely.
I'm not so sure I see the difference in quality of writing. But then I'm reticent to explore the quality as a definable trait of a literary piece.
ReplyDeleteCertainly there's a difference in voice, personality, topics, and characters, but I wouldn't necessarily say there's a difference in quality. If the purpose of Literature is to entertain, then Braddon succeeds. If the purpose of Literature is to make one take a new look at society or at new ideas, then again I think Braddon succeeds. So then we're left with what exactly is "Literature"? I don't think we'll find a definition on here or even in the course of it, because the only thing I can think of is Literature is the examination of any written work, and exploring its values and impact on society.
To this end, I'd say that while I couldn't determine a difference in quality, I could determine that this is certainly Literature.
Actually, I was trying to avoid being referential, but because we're studying it, it becomes Literature, just like how sensationalist fiction recognizes that it's a story, that it's entertaining individuals, and while Lady Audley's Secret doesn't come out right and expressly address the reader, it does give the reader a world in which the very type of fiction the reader is holding helps in solving the mystery of Lady Audley.
Michael,
ReplyDeleteYour take on the matter is definitely a different approach than I would have considered. I understand what you are saying, but the quality of the writing does indeed stand to be on a different level than what we have previously read this semester. I believe that Lady Audley's Secret is an excellent book. I enjoy it great deal more than many other novels we have read thus far. But when you look at the different aspects of literature I can see where quality is lacking. But thank you for sharing. You are definitely one to think outside the box. :0)