The Victorian era is typically viewed as staunch and stuffy by the general public, in an era where propriety and etiquette were of the highest importance. However, the Victorian era was also a time that spoke to intriguing cultural moments such as the ascension of the monarch, for which it is named, at the tender age of eighteen, after she had been sheltered for most of her life. The development and curation of literature in this period is equally interesting, and perhaps, much more relevant to our course. My favourite author is Charlotte Bronte, having fallen in love with Wuthering Heights in high school for her unique literary style that brought the Gothic to life. What I found most interesting from today's introduction was learning that Victorian illustrated books were geared towards adults rather than children, and furthermore, that while most illustrations were black and white, the few that were coloured, were created by hand. I think the dedication towards art and one's craft is admirable. What I look forward to most is studying Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol as it is a beloved classic and has undergone many adaptions, it will be interesting to read the original text with its various illustrations. I also look forward to unpacking whether or not this topic subverts the general narrative of orthodoxy in lieu of something that is more avant-garde. Overall, I look forward to this course and all that I can possibly learn.