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.

After our first meeting today, I am quite intrigued and excited to learn about the “Goblin Market”. I have no prior knowledge and still am not sure what exactly it is but the name alone has piqued my interest. I am always fascinated by the various academic and scholarly platforms/archives Dr. Janzen introduces to us. This is my second class with her and it is always interesting to discover new mediums or forums available to us in academia that previously I never would have known existed. I am also looking forward to exploring A Christmas Carol.

Today, being reintroduced to Victorian literature in the form of Illustrated books was refreshing as an English major. I am looking forward to furthering my knowledge on literature during this particular time period, and especially to be joined once again with Lorraine Janzen for another semester. What particularly intrigued me about today's introduction is how we will be able to analyze numerous Victorian Illustrated texts through different lenses.

Today, being reintroduced to Victorian literature in the form of Illustrated books was refreshing as an English major. I am looking forward to furthering my knowledge on literature during this particular time period, and especially to be joined once again with Lorraine Janzen for another semester. What particularly intrigued me about today's introduction is how we will be able to analyze numerous Victorian Illustrated texts through different lenses.

Illustration is not a topic that I have much knowledge about, and prior to my undergraduate studies it was not something that I would have considered interesting to me. Since taking ENG810 earlier in my degree, working with illustrated texts for the first time sparked an interest in me that I am bringing into this course.

Firstly, I want to say that I am excited to begin the course and look forward to reading the course texts. I have been interested in art and literature for as long as I can recall. When I was five, my brother gave me an anthology of folk and fairy tales with a section of various illustrations and I credit this book with spurring my interest in literature.