Page:Satire in the Victorian novel (IA satireinvictoria00russrich).pdf/17

CONTENTS

PART I

PREMISES


Chapter I

THE SATIRIC SPIRIT
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Various interpretations because of various manifestations. Chief constituents,
criticism and humor. Relation of these in the formula. Testimony
of satirists as to the presence of humor, criticism being taken for
granted. The satiric motive; temperamental cause and ethical intent.
Testimony as to both. Symposium on the discrepancy between prospectus
and performance. The realizable ideal. Objects: empiric data on vice,
folly, and deception. Reason for universal criticism and ridicule of deception.
Criteria of good satire. Difficulties, limitations, and real function 1


Chapter II

THE CONFLUENCE

Relationship between satire and fiction. Ancient but incomplete and
uneven alliance. Union in the nineteenth century. The Victorian novelists.
Their chronology and background. Classification as satirists.
Testimony of the novelists themselves as to satire 41


PART II

METHODS


Chapter I

THE ROMANTIC

Possible methodic categories. Reason for present choice. Proportion of
the romantic or fantastic type. Peacock and Butler. Lytton and Disraeli.
Thackeray and Meredith. Characteristics of this form of satire:
wit, invention, exaggeration, and concentration 59