Author Archives: laurajohnson30

                There are several memorable works that we have read this semester that would be quite interesting to teach.   Some are famous works, some are important responses to political and social movements, and some respond to some of the biggest events in history.  Out of everything we’ve read, the one that stands out to meContinue reading “Solving the Mystery of What to Teach with the Help of a Certain Detective”

During the Victorian period, realism was one of the most popular forms of literature.  Victorian realism focused on everyday experiences, the struggles of an ordinary individual, morality, and social networks, and many novels focused on these topics.  However, realism was not the only form of literature produced during this area.  Some literature looked to challengeContinue reading “It’s Not Elementary, Watson: How The Adventure of the Speckled Band Rejects Victorian Realism”

At first glance, Jane Austen’s novel Northanger Abbey doesn’t seem to have a villain.  It is true that there is no obvious villain in the traditional sense; there is no murderer, monster, or evil schemer that thwarts Catherine every step of the way.  However, in a much more realistic manner, there are characters that careContinue reading “The Villain of Northanger Abbey”

William Wordsworth was a famous poet whose Preface to Lyrical Ballads, which was published in 1800 along with a collection of poems, set out many principles that would guide poetry during the age of Romanticism.   Included in this preface was his opinions on poets, poetic diction, and the definition of poetry.  One of the poemsContinue reading “How Wordsworth’s “Lucy Gray” Embodies Preface to Lyrical Ballads”