Assignment 1: "Victorian Literature"

01. Which 2 readings did you select from the list?

I selected two books from the list you published

1.- Poe, E.A. The Murders in the Rue Morgue (USA, 1841-short story)

2.- Conrad, J. Heart of Darkness (Britain, 1899-novel)

02. Using these readings, compare (3 examples) and contrast (3 examples) the works with the ppt presentations on Victorian Literature and Culture given in class.

In the book “Heart of Darkness”

1.- Pilgrims and characters seem to be civilized people but they were not civilized at all.

2.- Ambition is the reason why characters get into conflict with the rest of the world.

3.- It is presented the dark side of human life due poverty, bad people.

4.- New views on everything, new inventions and devices.

5. - Conrad´s deterministic thought shaped by the ideas of Darwin in the evolution of the species.

6.- The writer described a person or a place just as you see in a moment, things as they are.

In the book “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”

1.- It is shown mystery and terror all through his work.

2.- The grotesque and dark side of life in his work.

3.- Women had a secondary role in society.

4.- Poet was a heavy drinker and gambler. Elements which were forbidden in that period.

5.- Allusion is present in his work.

6.- He is a romantic poet marked by the extermination of Indians. Founder of the detective stories. War against Mexico, America took Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California.

03. Do you feel that the readings you completed are very good or excellent examples of Victorian Literature? Why/Why not?

Yes, these readings are excellent examples of Victorian Literature because of the themes and symbols shown in each book.

04. Would you recommend these readings to your friends and family? Why/Why not?

I would recommend “The Murders in The Rue Morgue” because It is easy to read and The vocabulary used there is not complicated, you will not get bored reading this short story.

“Heart Of Darkness” Is a cultural novel showing the dark side of slavery, ambition and evil. However is lot more complicated to understand it , Class struggle in opposition to religion(Catholic church) is present in his novel.