Opening Lecture

We had discussion outstanding on aspects of Darwin, but we had a heavy dose of introductory study and lecture and best to have that germinate and bear fruit in the coming week's class, in which we have ample discussion time.

It is important to begin the course with a solid understanding of Darwinism: the Victorian age in so many ways being encapsulated by that, chronologically & intellectually, central writer. Furthermore, the Victorians did separate their literature in fiction and prose as we do. Rather, they read both for pleasure and information quite indiscriminately. As someone has famously said, 'Go thou and do likewise'!