Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Explores the linguistic and social ramifications of promising, and specifically promising to marry, in Victorian fiction. The concept of the promise--as speech act, as social practice and legal contract, and as structural principle and topos--lies at the intersection of several emergent nineteenth-century discourses: the science of language (notably etymology and philology), utilitarian jurisprudence (especially the freedom of contract applied to personal relations), and the aesthetics of the novel (predominantly realism).With this in mind, Craig offers new readings of several classic Victorian novels, including Pickwick Papers, Jane Eyre, Adam Bede, The Egoist, and The Wings of the Dove. [publisher's description]

English fiction --- 19th century --- History and criticism --- Betrothal --- Law and legislation --- Great Britain --- History --- Legal stories [English ] --- Love stories [English ] --- Betrothal in literature --- Courtship in literature --- Marriage in literature --- Promises in literature --- Betrothal - Law and legislation - Great Britain - History - 19th century. --- Betrothal in literature. --- Legal stories, English --- Love stories, English --- English romance fiction --- English legal stories --- Engagement --- Marriage, Promise of --- Contracts --- Courtship --- Marriage

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

J. Douglas Canfield argues that English literature of the feudal epoch placed this master trope of word as bond at the center of conflict. The trope does not passively reflect social reality; rather, it helps to define, to constitute the society and its values.

Allegiance in literature. --- Betrothal in literature. --- Civilization, Medieval, in literature. --- Constancy in literature. --- English literature --- English literature --- Loyalty in literature. --- Oaths in literature. --- Trust in literature. --- Vows in literature. --- History and criticism. --- History and criticism.