This is a recording of Victorian and Edwardian Colonial Short Stories, Part 1: Queen and Empress, recorded on 19 March 2024.
Over two lectures an overview of colonial short stories published during the Victorian and Edwardian Era will be explored. These stories form part of a huge body of literature, including both fiction and non-fiction, which variously described, promoted or criticised Imperialism.
Many of the stories initially furnished a two-fold purpose. Those printed locally were important within the colonial community, as they offered a release from present difficulties, isolation and boredom, by providing comfort in fictional tales rooted in shared experiences that reflected their world back to them.
Publications in Britain offered the population back home a much-desired glimpse of the excitement and danger encountered within these exotic lands. When we read these works today, they offer us a deeper, more intimate and personal perspective of the lives lived within that system, than that recorded in the history books.
This first lecture by June Lawrence (who leads the Victorian Society’s short story reading group), will explore the influence of colonialism within short stories of the British Isles and India. Direct British rule lasted in India from 1858 until 1947 and Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India on 1 January 1877.
After booking a ticket, you will be given access to the recording of the event. Please ignore the event date in the listings.
This event helps raise funds for The Victorian Society - the only charity dedicated to fighting for our Victorian and Edwardian heritage. Join us today and safeguard our unique cultural heritage for future generations! For further information, click here.
The Victorian Society is an IHBC recognised CPD provider.
Image: Beynon of the Irrigation Department by Alice Perrin https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Alice_Perrin#/media/File:Beynon_of_the_Irrigation_departmet_by_Alice_Perrin_illustrated_by_Harold_Copping.jpg
