HE504 (Spring 2007)
Dickens and Fielding: Novelists of their Times
Section 5051
Spring, 2007
Professor Mace
e-mail: mace@usna.edu
Office Hours: MWF 9:15-9:45; 3:00-4:00; Tuesday 10:00-4:00; Friday, 1:30-3:00
(occasionally) and by appointment |
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Without doubt Henry Fielding and Charles Dickens were two of the major
novelists of their periods, if not of all time. Best known for his masterpiece Tom
Jones, Fielding was the quintessential author of his period: he
wrote prolifically in several different genres (plays, poetry, periodical
essay, satire, novel), engaged in spirited literary dialogues with the
most important writers and thinkers of the eighteenth century (Pope,
Swift, Theobald, and Cibber, to name a few), and played an active role
in politics, championing the Broadbottom Coalition that succeeded Robert
Walpole in the 1740s. Charles Dickens is the perfect author to
pair with Fielding because his writing, too, is emblematic of the period
in which he wrote, and his life and literary career is surprisingly similar
to Fielding’s. Like Fielding, Dickens was shaped early in
life by childhood trauma, which resurfaces throughout his novels, filled
with orphans and abused children. Dickens also wrote plays, periodical
essays, and novels, and he had an abiding interest in dramatic reading
and amateur theatricals. In addition, he was actively involved
in social reform both through his writing and his activities.
This semester
we will examine these writers in depth and will consider how they resemble
each other even as they represent the essential elements of the times in which
they lived. |
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Texts
Charles Dickens. Great Expectations. Ed. Edgar
Rosenberg. Norton Critical Editions, 1999.
Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist. Ed. Fred Kaplan. Norton
Critical Editions, 1993.
Charles Dickens. Selected Journalism 1850-1870. Ed. David Pascoe. Penguin,
1997.
Charles Dickens. on-line versions of the following plays: Is
She His Wife?; The Lamplighter; and Mr. Nightingale’s
Diary
Henry Fielding. Jonathan Wild. Penguin (I will give each of you a
copy of this book, which is out of print)
Henry Fielding. Tom Jones. Ed. Sheridan Baker. Second Edition. Norton
Critical Editions, 1995.
Henry Fielding. Xeroxes or pdfs of the following plays: The
Tragedy of Tragedies, The Lottery. and The Historical Register
for 1736 and Eurydice Hissed
Henry Fielding. Xeroxes or pdfs of selected periodical essays.
Course Policies:
Format of Papers: I expect you to type all paper
proposals and final drafts. Other assignments (including rough drafts) may
be handwritten. Please double space your papers, number the pages,
and put approximately one-inch margins on all sides. I will not accept handwritten
final drafts or proposals, nor will I make allowances for papers handed in
late because of computer or printer problems. Make sure that you hand papers
in on time, since I deduct ten points for each class a paper is late. You
should also remember that the minimum requirement for passing the class is
that you hand in all the papers. Please be sure to use the Modern Language
Association citation format in all documents handed in to this class.
Writing Assignments: During the semester you will
write two response papers, which you will read to the class on the dates
you have chosen. You will also complete a major research project. An annotated
bibliography and proposal will be due during the semester, but your first
draft and seminar report will not come until the last two weeks of class.
We will not have a final examination. You will also be responsible for completing
all reading assignments; you will be required to bring into each class for
which a reading is assigned two written questions or comments about the reading.
You will hand these written questions or comments in as you come into class.
We may also have short reading quizzes if they become necessary.
You must hand all papers in on time. I will deduct a grade for each class a
paper is late. You should also remember that the minimum requirement for passing
the course is to hand in all papers.
Quizzes and Questions: I expect each of you to do
all the reading for class. You to should come prepared for class by bringing
in two written comments or questions about each assigned reading.
If you miss class, you should bring in your comments or questions to our next
meeting. We will begin our discussions with your questions, so they are important.
You may also have a short reading quiz at the beginning of the class for which
the reading has been assigned, but these will probably occur only if I sense
that the class is not reading the assignments thoughtfully. If quizzes
become necessary, I will drop the lowest quiz grade at the end of the semester. Please
note that the written comments and questions are NOT optional; they are an
important component of your semester grade, so you MUST do them!
Writing Folder: Please buy a manila folder or the equivalent.
In this folder you will keep all notes, outlines, proposals, rough drafts, and
final drafts. Bring this folder to class and to any appointments with me.
Final Grade:
response papers (10%)
biography assignment (5%)
annotated bibliography (15%)
seminar report and first draft (15%)
final draft of seminar paper (35%)
questions/quizzes (10%)
participation (10%)
Extra Instruction: I encourage you to seek extra instruction
during office hours if you need help. I will require you all to come in for
a conference about your projects at least twice during the semester. You can
come in at any stage in the writing process, so do not wait until the day or
two before an essay is due.
Useful Internet Links (I may add to these throughout
the semester):
Henry Fielding: (Note: Very few websites exist for Fielding, and nearly all
are unsatisfactory) 1) Henry
Fielding Page 2) Henry
Fielding Quotations
Charles Dickens: 1)
Victorian Web pages on Charles Dickens 2) Charles
Dickens Page (David Perdue) 3) PBS
Site on Charles Dickens 4) BBC
Game: Surviving Dickens' London 5)
The Charles Dickens Museum London 6) Charles
Dickens Birthplace Museum 7) The
Dickens Project
Tentative Schedule: Please note that we will not meet
every Friday; however, you should note those Fridays already in the syllabus
on which I have scheduled movies and seminar reports.
Friday, 5 January: Introduction to the course; discussion
of reading assignments and semester project; introduction to biography assignment.
Assignment
for Monday, 8 January: Read Henry Fielding, The Tragedy
of Tragedies (two pdfs on Blackboard). Don’t forget to write
down a comment or question about the play to hand in on Monday.
Monday, 8 January: Historical Background to the Eighteenth
Century and Victorian Periods. Discussion of The Tragedy of Tragedies.
Assignment
for Wednesday, 10 January: Read Henry Fielding, The
Lottery and The Historical Register for 1736 and Eurydice Hissed. Be
sure to write down a comment or question about the reading for the next class.
Wednesday, 10 January: The plays of Henry Fielding
Assignment
for Wednesday, 17 January: Read Charles Dickens, Is She His
Wife?, The Lamplighter, and Mr. Nightingale’s Diary (all
to be found at the following website: Plays
of Charles Dickens (Texts and Commentary) Be sure to write down a comment
or question about the reading for the next class.
Monday, 15 January: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. NO
CLASS!
Wednesday, 17 January: The Plays of Dickens and Fielding
Assignment
for Monday, 22 January: Finish biography assignment.
Monday, 22 January: Biography assignments due. Discussion
of the lives of Fielding and Dickens.
Assignment
for Wednesday, 24 January: Read selected essays from Fielding’s
periodical writings (to be found in pdf on Blackboard or on xeroxes). Be sure
to write down a comment or question about the reading for the next class.
Wednesday, 24 January: Further discussion of the lives
and of Dickens’ work for the theatre. Fielding’s periodical
essays.
Assignment
for Monday, 29 January: Read selected essays from Dickens’ periodical
writings (see attached list). Be sure to write down a comment or question
about the reading for the next class.
Monday, 29 January: The periodical writings of Fielding and
Dickens
Assignment
for Wednesday, 31 January: Read Henry Fielding, Jonathan
Wild, pp. 7-81. Be sure to write down a comment or question about the
reading for the next class.
Wednesday, 31 January: Discussion of Jonathan Wild
Assignment
for Monday, 5 February: Read Jonathan Wild, pp.
83-204. Be sure to write down a comment or question about the reading for the
next class.
Monday, 5 February: Discussion of Jonathan Wild
Assignment
for Wednesday, 7 February: Read Charles Dickens, Oliver
Twist, pp. 3-66. Be sure to write down a comment or question about the
reading for the next class.
Wednesday, 7 February: Discussion of Oliver Twist
Assignment
for Monday, 12 February: Read Charles Dickens, Oliver
Twist, pp. 66-166. Be sure to write down a comment or question about the
reading for the next class.
Monday, 12 February: Discussion of Oliver Twist
Assignment
for Wednesday, 14 February: Read Oliver Twist,
pp. 166-223. Be sure to write down a comment or question about the reading
for the next class.
Wednesday, 14 February: Discussion of Oliver Twist. By
this date you should have selected a general topic for your semester project
after consultation with me.
Assignment
for Wednesday, 21 February: Read Oliver Twist,
pp. 223-360. Be sure to write down a comment or question about the reading
for the next class.
Monday, 19 February: Presidents’ Day Holiday. NO
CLASS!
Wednesday, 21 February: Discussion of Oliver Twist
Assignment
for Monday, 26 February: Read Henry Fielding, Tom Jones,
preface and Books I and II. Be sure to write down a comment or question about
the reading for the next class.
Friday, 23 February (fifth and sixth periods): MOVIE DAY! Film of Oliver
Twist
Monday, 26 February: Last class on Oliver Twist
Assignment
for Wednesday, 28 February: Read Tom Jones, Book
III and Book IV. 1-8. Be sure to write down a comment or question about the
reading for the next class.
Wednesday, 28 February: Discussion of Tom Jones
Assignment
for Monday, 5 March: Read Tom Jones, Book
IV. 9-14; Book V (all) and Book VI. 1-11. Be sure to write down a comment or
question about the reading for the next class.
Friday, 2 March (fifth and sixth periods): MOVIE DAY! Miniseries
of Tom Jones
Monday, 5 March: Discussion of Tom Jones
Assignment
for Wednesday, 7 March: Read Tom Jones, Book VI.
12-14; Book VII.1-12. Be sure to write down a comment or question about the
reading for the next class.
Wednesday, 7 March: Discussion of Tom Jones
Assignment
for Monday, 19 March: Read Tom Jones, Book VII.13-15;
Book VIII (all); Book IX (all). Be sure to write down a comment or question
about the reading for the next class.
Monday, 12 March through Friday, 16 March: SPRING BREAK! NO
CLASS!
Monday, 19 March: Discussion of Tom Jones
Assignment
for Wednesday, 21 March: Read Tom Jones, Book
X (all); Book XI. 1-5. Be sure to write down a comment or question about the
reading for the next class. Complete annotated bibliographies.
Wednesday, 21 March: ***Annotated Bibliographies for Semester
Project Due***Discussion of Tom Jones
Assignment
for Monday, 26 March: Read Tom Jones, Book XI.6-10;
Book XII (all); Book XIII.1-8. Be sure to write down a comment or question
about the reading for the next class.
Friday, 23 March (fifth and sixth periods): MOVIE DAY! Miniseries
of Tom Jones
Monday, 26 March: ***Narrowed Proposal for Final Paper Due***Selection
of dates for seminar reports. Discussion of Tom Jones
Assignment
for Wednesday, 28 March: Read Tom Jones, Book XIII.9-12;
Book XIV (all); Book XV.1-2. Be sure to write down a comment or question about
the reading for the next class.
Wednesday, 28 March: Discussion of Tom Jones
Assignment
for Monday, 2 April: Read Tom Jones, Book XV.3-12;
Book XVI (all); Book XVII (all). Be sure to write down a comment or question
about the reading for the next class.
Friday, 30 March (fifth and sixth periods): MOVIE DAY! Rest
of Tom Jones Miniseries.
Monday, 2 April: Discussion of Tom Jones
Assignment
for Wednesday, 4 April: Read Book XVIII (all). Be sure to
write down a comment or question about the reading for the next class.
Wednesday, 4 April: Discussion of Tom Jones
Assignment
for Monday, 9 April: Read Charles Dickens, Great Expectations,
pp. 3-105. Be sure to write down a comment or question about the reading
for the next class.
Monday, 9 April: Discussion of Charles Dickens, Great
Expectations
Assignment
for Wednesday, 11 April: Work on seminar reports and first
drafts of seminar papers.
Wednesday, 11 April: Seminar Reports
Assignment
for Monday, 16 April: Read Great Expectations,
pp. 105-178. Be sure to write down a comment or question about the reading
for the next class.
Friday, 13 April (fifth and sixth periods): Seminar Reports.
Monday, 16 April: Discussion of Great Expectations
Assignment
for Wednesday, 18 April: Read Great Expectations,
pp. 178-235. Be sure to write down a comment or question about the reading
for the next class.
Wednesday, 18 April: Discussion of Great Expectations
Assignment
for Monday, 23 April: Read Great Expectations,
pp. 236-359. Be sure to write down a comment or question about the reading
for the next class.
Friday, 20 April: Remaining Seminar Reports and More
Discussion of Great Expectations.
Monday, 23 April: Discussion of Great Expectations
Assignment
for Wednesday, 25 April: Complete Semester Project
Wednesday, 25 April: Final class. ***Semester
Project Due***
