Social dreaming : Dickens and the fairy tale / Elaine Ostry.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ostry, Elaine, 1967-

Series:

Studies in major literary authors

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870--Knowledge and learning--Folklore.

Dickens, Charles.

Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870.

Folklore.

Literature and folklore--England--History--19th century.

Literature and folklore.

Fairy tales--History and criticism.

Fairy tales.

Fairy tales in literature.

Folklore in literature.

History.

England.

Physical Description:

xvii, 199 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

New York : Routledge, 2002.

Summary:

Dickens was known for his incredible imagination and fiery social protest. In "Social Dreaming," Elaine Ostry examines how these two qualities are linked through Dickens's use of the fairy tale, a genre that infuses his work. To many Victorians, the fairy tale was not childish: it promoted the imagination and fancy in a materialistic, utilitarian world. It was a way of criticizing society so that everyone could understand. Like Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm, Dickens used the fairy tale to promote his ideology. In this first book length study of Dickens's use of the fairy tale as a social tool, Elaine Ostry applies exciting new criticism by Jack Zipes and Maria Tatar, among others, that examines the fairy tale in a socio-historical light to Dickens's major works but also his periodicals-the most popular middle-class publications in Victorian times.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 155-191) and index.

ISBN:

0415940184

OCLC:

49991396