Lab Activity: DH: MIT Moral Machine and CLiC Dickens Project

This blog task is assigned by my professor Dr. Dilip Barad sir. The main motive is to Browse through activity book by CLiC Project of Birmingham University and shall complete at least two 'thematic' activities. The detalied information is provided HERE 

The social importance of the fire-place : 

This activity aims to make connections between textual patterns in the novels and social or cultural behavious and conventions in the real world. As most texts in CLiC were written in the 19th century, we focus on the cultural context of that period. Section 12 above looked at the role of fire in A Christmas Carol and here we focus on a related topic: the so-called ‘fireplace pose’ in 19th century fiction.

This pose has been identified in literature and other cultural material from the time, such as paintings; Barbara Korte describes this in her book on body language (Korte 1997: 212). Mahlberg (2013) has looked at textual patterns of the fireplace pose in Dickens’s novels and finds that the cluster with his back to the fire is particularly frequent.

In Charles Dickens' novels, the fireplace often serves as a stage for characters to perform their masculinity and assert their authority. This is particularly evident in the "fireplace pose," where characters stand with their backs to the fire.

The fireplace pose suggests a sense of dominance and control. Characters adopting this posture often hold positions of power or authority. Turning one's back to the fire implies a disinterest in domestic matters. This suggests a focus on external concerns or professional life.The fireplace can be seen as a symbol of the unconscious, while the turned back might represent a defense mechanism against deeper emotions or desires. Gazing into the fire can suggest a character's avoidance of eye contact with others, possibly indicating discomfort or a desire to remain detached.

The combination of fire and fog in Dickens' novels adds layers of complexity and confusion. Fog often symbolizes uncertainty or misunderstanding, while the fire represents warmth and comfort. Dickens uses the fireplace here to highlight the superficiality and pretense of the window dressing social circle. So even in the other works reflecting similar kind of the demeanour around the fire place. 

The fire-place pose in 19th century literature : 

Dickens often uses the fireplace to symbolize masculinity and authority, other 19th-century authors explored different meanings associated with this domestic feature.

In other 19th-century works, fire symbolizes different meanings. It echoes similar postures reflected in Dickens' work. The characters are in a confused state of mind. In The Small House in Allington by Anthony Trollope, while facing the fire, a character discusses the past and the cold weather of London. This might suggest that the coldness of the past is burdening the present. 

Eliot's portrayal of Grandcourt's discomfort while looking at a female character is a departure from Dickens' characters, who often feel a sense of foreboding in their surroundings. Grandcourt's emotions, including jealousy and contempt, are revealed through his interactions with the fire.

Eliot's portrayal of Grandcourt's discomfort while looking at a female character is a departure from Dickens' characters, who often feel a sense of foreboding in their surroundings. Grandcourt's emotions, including jealousy and contempt, are revealed through his interactions with the fire.

Hardy's use of the fireplace in Jude the Obscure is significantly different from Dickens' portrayal. Jude's feelings of love for Sue are intensified by the presence of the fire, creating a scene that is far removed from the typical Victorian living room setting. This departure from Victorian conventions positions Hardy as an early modernist writer.

Activity 15: Education, women and governesses in the 19th century

A governess was a female tutor who taught children in their homes, often employed by upper-class families to educate their daughters. She was typically expected to be well-educated, accomplished in various arts like music and dance, and possess strong moral character. Governesses were often seen as a status symbol for families, demonstrating their wealth and social standing.

In 19th-century literature, the governess frequently plays a significant role in the story. She often provides insights into the social and cultural norms of the time, as well as the expectations placed on women and the relationship between class and education. By studying the role of the governess in these novels, we can gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and the experiences of women during this period.

Through the activity one can do deep research on any concept that belonged in the 19th century. For instance a governance, how the term is described and represented in the novel as well as in the society represented in the 19th that can be learned through the project. One does not have to read the whole text by merely finding the word one can do the research.

The governess mostly looks after a girl child, in the novel Bleak House(Ch- 30) by Charles Dickens there is a reference of a governess who is  very kind to a child and tries to be a friend of them. In many other examples mostly the governess takes care of a girl child rather than a boy child.

It also has a feature that shows how many times the words are used in the work that goes into the in depth analysis of the research work. And for further reading we get the direct reference in the text that saves lots of our time. Through this activity I learnt to find the context of any particular word in the novels or literary work, through this activity and doing everything practically taught me to think in this manner to do any further research work.

Conclusion

The role of the governess in 19th-century literature is another focal point. Governesses, typically well-educated women employed by upper-class families, are portrayed as significant figures who reflect the social and cultural norms of the time, particularly regarding women's roles and education. These characters provide insight into the historical context and the expectations placed on women during that era.

The activity emphasizes the value of analyzing textual patterns in novels to uncover connections between literary elements and the broader social and cultural behaviors of the time. By examining specific concepts, such as the "fireplace pose" or the role of the governess, one can gain a deeper understanding of the 19th-century context without needing to read entire texts. This approach not only facilitates research but also enhances one's ability to engage with and interpret literary works more effectively.

I hope this would be helpful, 

Thank you.