The most interesting part of the second week of the course for me is understanding the dynamic between the author and the illustrator in this time period. When we traditionally study the texts of the Victorian Era, the text is all that is looked at with significance. The idea that illustrations of this time period were essential to how readers in the Victorian Era understood these books has made me rethink my understanding of the Victorian texts I have previously studied, such as A Christmas Carol. The idea that specifically engaged me the most is the concept of the artist as a critic from the "Two texts, two hands, two looks" reading. This concept goes beyond seeing illustrations as a companion to the text, but as a piece in dialogue with the text, like a critic's work would be. This changes the way images are viewed within these Victorian texts, as it changes the understanding of artists and writers from collaborators to independent artists, with the illustrator critiquing the text from their own point of view. This completely recontextualizes the typical understanding of the artist's role, which the reading points out was traditionally seen as secondary. I find it very interesting how this dynamic changes the reading experience of these texts.