Literature and religion in mid-Victorian England : from Dickens to Eliot

"This book places Dickens and Wilkie Collins against such important figures as John Henry Newman and George Eliot in their response to the religious crisis of mid-nineteenth century England. In foregrounding this aspect of their most important work this study seeks to relocate Dickens and Collins in the context of contemporary debate. Both writers propounded a liberal Christian belief, often dismissed as naive or alternatively as a marketable fiction, in their own lifetime. Most later critics have made the same assumption. This study examines the intense particularity of religious debate in the nineteenth century, and the correspondingly ambiguous status of liberal Christianity. Surprisingly the treatment of religion in both Dickens and Collins is seen to be fraught with tension. The purpose of this book is to recover the difficulty with which Dickens in particular overcame his belief in Judgement and the subtlety of Collins's argument with his own evangelical upbringing."--BOOK JACKET. Read more... This Book Places Dickens And Wilkie Collins Against Such Important Figures As John Henry Newman And George Eliot In Their Response To The Religious Crisis Of Mid-nineteenth Century England. In Foregrounding This Aspect Of Their Most Important Work This Study Seeks To Relocate Dickens And Collins In The Context Of Contemporary Debate. Both Writers Propounded A Liberal Christian Belief, Often Dismissed As Naive Or Alternatively As A Marketable Fiction, In Their Own Lifetime. Most Later Critics Have Made The Same Assumption. This Study Examines The Intense Particularity Of Religious Debate In The Nineteenth Century, And The Correspondingly Ambiguous Status Of Liberal Christianity. Surprisingly The Treatment Of Religion In Both Dickens And Collins Is Seen To Be Fraught With Tension. The Purpose Of This Book Is To Recover The Difficulty With Which Dickens In Particular Overcame His Belief In Judgement And The Subtlety Of Collins's Argument With His Own Evangelical Upbringing.--jacket. 1. Tradings In Religion: Legislation And Crisis At Mid-century -- 2. A Man's Resolution And A Woman's Patience: Fighting The Battle Of Life -- 3. The Redeployment Of Doctrine -- Treatment Of Original Sin, Infant Depravity And Providentialism -- 4. Subverting Judgement: The Case For Redemption Through Sanctification Of The Sinner -- 5. Pet Prisoners And Honest Paupers: Philanthropic Dealings With Poverty And Criminality -- 6. Conclusion. Carolyn W. De La L. Oulton. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 213-219) And Index. Content: 1. Tradings in Religion: Legislation and Crisis at Mid-Century -- 2. A Man's Resolution and a Woman's Patience: Fighting the Battle of Life -- 3. The Redeployment of Doctrine -- Treatment of Original Sin, Infant Depravity and Providentialism -- 4. Subverting Judgement: the Case for Redemption through Sanctification of the Sinner -- 5. Pet Prisoners and Honest Paupers: Philanthropic Dealings with Poverty and Criminality -- 6. Conclusion. Abstract: "This book places Dickens and Wilkie Collins against such important figures as John Henry Newman and George Eliot in their response to the religious crisis of mid-nineteenth century England. In foregrounding this aspect of their most important work this study seeks to relocate Dickens and Collins in the context of contemporary debate. Both writers propounded a liberal Christian belief, often dismissed as naive or alternatively as a marketable fiction, in their own lifetime. Most later critics have made the same assumption. This study examines the intense particularity of religious debate in the nineteenth century, and the correspondingly ambiguous status of liberal Christianity. Surprisingly the treatment of religion in both Dickens and Collins is seen to be fraught with tension. The purpose of this book is to recover the difficulty with which Dickens in particular overcame his belief in Judgement and the subtlety of Collins's argument with his own evangelical upbringing."--BOOK JACKET This book places Dickens and Wilkie Collins against such important figures as John Henry Newman and George Eliot in seeking to recover their response to the religious controversies of mid-nineteenth century England. While much recent criticism has tended to overlook or dismiss their religious pronouncements, this book foregrounds the religious aspect of their writing and relocates their most important work in the context of contemporary debate. The response of both writers is seen to be complex and fraught with tension. This text places Dickens and Wilkie Collins against such important figures as John Henry Newman and George Eliot in seeking to recover their response to the religious controversies of mid-19th-century England