6.1 The rise of sensationalism in Victorian literature

Victorian literature took a thrilling turn with the rise of sensationalism. Authors like Wilkie Collins and Mary Elizabeth Braddon shocked readers with scandalous plots, complex characters, and taboo themes that challenged social norms.

Sensationalist novels captivated audiences with cliff-hangers, unreliable narrators, and dramatic revelations. This genre pushed boundaries, blending elements of romance, mystery, and Gothic horror while exploring the dark underbelly of respectable Victorian society.

Sensationalist Literature in Victorian England

Key Characteristics and Themes

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• Focused on shocking, scandalous, or thrilling subject matter involving crime, violence, and moral transgression
• Featured complex, suspenseful plots with unexpected twists and turns designed to keep readers engaged
• Explored themes of secrecy, deception, and hidden identities uncovering the dark underbelly of respectable Victorian society
• Employed melodramatic elements including exaggerated emotions, heightened conflicts, and dramatic revelations
• Challenged traditional Victorian values and social norms by addressing taboo subjects (adultery, bigamy, murder)
• Portrayed strong female characters who defied conventional gender roles as victims or perpetrators of sensational acts
• Incorporated Gothic elements blending mysterious settings, supernatural occurrences, and psychological terror with contemporary themes

Narrative Techniques and Structure

• Utilized cliff-hangers and serialized formats to maintain reader interest across installments
• Employed unreliable narrators and multiple perspectives to create suspense and ambiguity
• Developed intricate subplots and interconnected storylines to enhance complexity
• Used flashbacks and non-linear storytelling to reveal crucial information gradually
• Incorporated epistolary elements (letters, diaries) to provide insight into characters' thoughts and motivations
• Created vivid, atmospheric descriptions to enhance the sense of mystery and foreboding
• Balanced fast-paced action scenes with moments of psychological introspection

Influential Authors and Works

• Wilkie Collins pioneered the genre with novels (The Woman in White, The Moonstone)
• Mary Elizabeth Braddon gained popularity with works (Lady Audley's Secret)
• Charles Reade addressed social issues through sensationalist plots (Hard Cash)
• Ellen Wood combined domestic fiction with sensationalist elements (East Lynne)
• Sheridan Le Fanu incorporated supernatural themes into his sensationalist works (Uncle Silas)
• Charles Dickens incorporated sensationalist elements into his later novels (Bleak House, Great Expectations)
• Thomas Hardy's early works showed influences of the sensationalist genre (Desperate Remedies)

Societal Factors for Sensationalism

Social and Economic Changes

• Rapid urbanization and industrialization created social upheaval and anxiety addressed by sensationalist literature
• Expansion of literacy and growth of the middle class increased demand for accessible, entertaining literature
• New printing technologies and serialized publication formats made novels more affordable and widely available
• Rise of investigative journalism and true crime reporting reflected broader cultural fascination with scandalous events
• Growing interest in psychology and exploration of human motivations dramatized in sensationalist novels
• Increasing influence of women as readers and authors contributed to popularity addressing female experiences
• Emergence of a mass media culture created a market for sensational news and entertainment

Cultural and Intellectual Trends

• Victorian fascination with the supernatural and occult influenced sensationalist themes
• Growing interest in criminology and forensic science reflected in detective elements of sensation fiction
• Darwinian theories of evolution challenged traditional beliefs, mirrored in novels' exploration of human nature
• Increased global exploration and colonialism introduced exotic settings and themes to sensationalist works
• Rising concerns about social mobility and class identity explored through characters' hidden pasts
• Debates surrounding women's rights and roles in society addressed through female characters in sensation novels
• Scientific and technological advancements incorporated into plots (telegraphs, railways, photography)

Impact of Sensationalism on the Novel

Literary Innovations

• Pushed boundaries of acceptable subject matter paving the way for more diverse and controversial themes
• Influenced development of modern storytelling techniques and serialized fiction through plot-driven narratives
• Blended elements of different genres (romance, mystery, Gothic horror) contributing to hybrid literary forms
• Explored psychological complexity and character motivations developing more nuanced, multi-dimensional characters
• Challenged traditional narrative structures influencing experimental approaches in subsequent literary movements
• Popularized the use of multiple narrators and unreliable narrators in fiction
• Developed techniques for creating and maintaining suspense across long narratives

Publishing and Literary Culture

• Success led to greater focus on market-driven publishing practices influencing writing, marketing, and distribution
• Contributed to the rise of circulating libraries and railway bookstalls as major distribution channels
• Influenced the development of literary criticism and academic study of popular literature
• Sparked debates about the role of fiction in society and its potential moral influence
• Led to the creation of new literary magazines and periodicals dedicated to sensationalist fiction
• Influenced the development of advertising and promotional techniques for books
• Contributed to the professionalization of authorship and the rise of literary agents

Critical Reception of Sensationalist Literature

Contemporary Criticism

• Many critics denounced sensation fiction as immoral, vulgar, and potentially corrupting to readers (women, young people)
• Genre criticized for perceived lack of literary merit and focus on entertainment over artistic or moral value
• Accused of blurring lines between high and low culture challenging established notions of "proper" literature
• Some critics praised novels for engaging readers and addressing contemporary social issues in dramatized form
• Debates arose over potential influence on public morality and behavior with claims of inciting criminal acts
• Critical reception varied over time with initially dismissed works later reevaluated for literary significance
• Sparked discussions about the role of popular fiction in shaping public opinion and social norms

Gender and Class Debates

• Popularity among female readers led to debates about gender roles and appropriate subject matter for women
• Class-based critiques emerged, with concerns about sensationalist literature's appeal across social strata
• Discussions about the portrayal of working-class characters and social mobility in sensation novels
• Debates over the genre's challenge to traditional domestic ideals and representations of marriage
• Concerns raised about the potential for sensation fiction to inspire female rebellion or independence
• Critics examined the genre's treatment of masculinity and male characters in relation to Victorian ideals
• Discussions about the role of sensation fiction in addressing or exploiting social anxieties about class and gender