Beyond Scandal: Seeking Morality in Sensation Fiction

Contemporary critics condemned sensation novels on the grounds of excessive immorality. However, three of the most popular sensation novels display a pattern of increased social status as a reward for good behavior is common, clearly suggesting that notions about the genre as immoral are misguided. The thesis demonstrates the ways upward social migration rewards good behavior, while the downward spiral of those in social power as punishment for immoral behavior indicates that the sensation novel actually supports a very traditional framework of Victorian morality, rather than disrupting morality.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Literature

Grantor

Texas State University-San Marcos

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Maxwell, Bethany N.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Ledbetter, Kathryn

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Leder, Priscilla
• Rosenberg, Teya

• sensation fiction
• sensation literature
• sensation novel
• Victorian novel
• Collins, Wilkie
• Wood, Ellen
• Braddon, Mary Elizabeth
• Victorian morality
• The Woman in White
• Lady Audley's Secret
• East Lynne

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/2521

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/2521