The Riotous Mob

The "Pink House"

2007-10-14T06:09:00.001-07:00

Hello! I'm writing from Manchester, England, the home of our lovely authoress, Elizabeth Gaskell. It thought it would be relevant to post some pictures of Mrs. Gaskell's abode, affectionately known around these parts as the "Pink House." (Yes, it is actually pink!). The house, located at 84 Plymouth Grove, has recently been acquired for restoration by the Heritage Trust here in Manchester. It's a two million pound project, with an expected timeline of 10 years. I had a chance to see the inside of the house, and it certainly needs some work! Sorry I won't be there in person to discuss "The Old Nurse's Story," but I will certainly be there, fittingly, in spirit.
Best wishes,
Meagan.

CORRECTED VERSION: Gaskell, "The Old Nurse's Story"

2007-10-01T08:44:00.001-07:00

This is just a reminder that we settled on Gaskell's "The Old Nurse's Story" for our next meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, October 15, 4-5 p.m. in the Second Cup in the Computer Science building. E-texts are not hard to find (here's one). The story is also reprinted in Glennis Stephenson's excellent collection Nineteenth-Century Stories by Women, available in the library. I have an extra copy of the Stephenson book, so I'll put that in the department lounge (on the Assignments bookshelf) for those who want to xerox the story from it.

The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist

2007-09-18T03:28:00.000-07:00

Our second official meeting took place Monday, September 17th at 4pm. After a rather thorough discussion about the wiles of academia, we launched into a lively investigation of Conan Doyle's The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist. While the jury is still out on whether or not this was one of the lesser of the Sherlock Holmes stories, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and a great many ideas floated across the tables.

The Next Meeting will be held October 15 at 4pm. Location: TBA.
Text: Elizabeth Gaskell's "The Old Nurse's Story," in honour of ghoul-month.

Thanks to everyone who participated yesterday. I leave for merry ol' on Thursday and will return December 2nd.

Top photo provided by: http://www.ongoing-tales.com/SERIALS/mystery/DOYLE/CyclistPix/SC03.gif

Solitary Cyclist Question

2007-09-16T14:24:00.000-07:00

I have a few basic questions about The Solitary Cyclist: In what ways is the story a New Woman narrative? How does this genre map onto the detective story genre? Building on these questions, how is The Solitary Cyclist representative of Victorian literature? Of Modernist literature? How does a rural vs an urban setting affect the conventions of detective fiction?
Patricia

Obvious Question about Bicycling

2007-09-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

It never hurts to start with the obvious, so here's my question for Monday: Is Violet Smith's bicycle, or her cycling, symbolic of some kind of freedom? If so, what kind? And what, then, is the broader significance of the threats she faces on her rides? Or, is it "just" a bicycle--purely a plot device?

Meeting Location

2007-09-13T07:29:00.001-07:00

Monday's meeting will be held at the Second Cup in the Killam Library atrium at 4pm.

Inaugural Meeting

2007-09-10T15:55:00.001-07:00

Thank you to all who attended the inaugural meeting of our newly named "Riotous Mob," the Dalhousie Department of English Victorian Reading Group. We've already arranged a public shaming for the skivers.

Among the broad range of topics discussed this afternoon, we decided upon our upcoming meeting times, and brainstormed ideas for the group.

The Riotous Mob will meet on the 3rd Monday of every month at 4pm. Locations will be secretly divulged to members 3 hours before each meeting. (Okay, not really, but that would certainly be in keeping with our nineteenth-century co-operatives, wouldn't it?)

Possible plans for our society include:

- Film Screenings (in conjunction with an English 4000 class or the Undergraduate English Society?)

- Victorian Iron-Chef Cook-Off

- Pub Night

- Organize a speaker series or a Victorian panel discussion for the department colloquium

- Theatre night at the Neptune or Dalhousie

The group can be as formal or as informal as we want to make it. To help generate discussion, feel free to bring a question, thought, picture, piece of music, or comment about the week's text, or post something about the text on our blog in advance of the meeting.

We also welcome anyone who has an interest in the texts we're reading: Victorianists and non-Victorianists alike!

FYI, Melissa will take over as interim chair while I (Meagan) am away in the UK.

Next meeting: Monday, September 17th at 4pm. Location TBA.

Text: The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist: E-text

Until next time, onwards and upwards with austerity and diligence.