| Title |
Szanter, Ashley_MENG_2015 |
| Alternative Title |
High Victorian Monster Fiction and its Subversions of Taxonomies of Deformity, Disease, and Crime |
| Creator |
Szanter, Ashley |
| Collection Name |
Master of English |
| Description |
"Scholarly examinations of Victorian literature do not neglect the commanding presence of monsters. Nineteenth-century texts often categorize 'monstrousness' as inextricable with being alive--be it human or otherwise. But the nature of monstrosity is often culturally determined. Victorians are expressing their understanding of monstrosity by attending to outward appearances and actions of an individual. The rise of fictions about monsters suggests an anxiety that those around them could hide aspects of their person from public view. ... [Building off the work of scholars in this context, I] examine why people create, fear, and seek to conquer monsters. Additionally, ... why the Victorians developed a culture that fed off of monster fiction and how it appealed to them by drawing from cultural experiences. As a result of scientific advancements, the Victorians developed taxonomic systems that aided them in classifying monsters. These systems reveal fears about monsters, otherness, and victimization." |
| Subject |
Monsters; Anxiety; British literature |
| Keywords |
Victimization; Foreignness; Criminality; Victorian culture; Otherness (Philosophy) |
| Digital Publisher |
Stewart Library, Weber State University |
| Date |
2015 |
| Language |
eng |
| Rights |
The author has granted Weber State University Archives a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce their theses, in whole or in part, in electronic or paper form and to make it available to the general public at no charge. The author retains all other rights. |
| Source |
University Archives Electronic Records; Master of Arts in English. Stewart Library, Weber State University |
| Format |
application/pdf |
| ARK |
ark:/87278/s6ssx9dd |
| Setname |
wsu_smt |
| ID |
96694 |
| Reference URL |
https://digital.weber.edu/ark:/87278/s6ssx9dd |
