Literature taster: Nineteenth Century Novels
An introductory in-person literature taster examining two nineteenth-century novels through presentations, extracts and group discussion.
About this course
The session explores Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey and Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre within the literary culture of nineteenth-century novels. Short tutor-led presentations and readings provide a basis for discussing narrative voice, gothic elements and other narrative concerns. The course also considers how screen adaptations have shaped interpretations of the novels. Participants will receive short extracts for reading and discussion, with an overview of related literature courses at the end of the session.
What you'll learn
- Identify some features of the literary culture surrounding nineteenth-century novels.
- Discuss developing uses of narrative voice in the selected works.
- Recognise ways gothic elements contribute to the novels’ narrative methods and concerns.
- Consider how screen adaptations can influence interpretations of literary works.
Is this course right for you?
This introductory course is intended for learners beginning to explore literary study. No previous knowledge or experience of literature is necessary, and participation involves reading short extracts and contributing to group discussion. The full novels do not need to have been read beforehand.
- Suitable for learners with no previous literature study.
- Includes group discussion based on short extracts.
- Full reading of the novels is not required before the session.
Before you go
- Short reading extracts will be sent digitally before the course and supplied on paper in class.
- Reading the extracts in advance is recommended where possible.
- Participants should bring a pen and paper for note-taking.
Class teacher
Sophie Oxenham
Class teacher
Where this course runs
Upcoming classes
1 class
Selected date
Wed 6 Jan 2027
10:30 – 12:30 • 1 day
£19
Keeley Street, Covent Garden
