The period known as the  fin de siècle was a time of rapid change and progress but also a period that saw a huge amount of fear over cultural, social, political and ideological change.

Both these texts explore the shifts in cultural attitudes, the fears about how society was changing, and also depict the racial, imperial, gender and class concerns of this time.

The Picture of Dorian Gray is filled with the wit and humour we expect from Wilde, but also explores the darker side of human nature and society.

Stoker’s Dracula is a far more interesting and complex text than any TV or film adaptation has ever done justice to.  It is a text that explores a huge range of cultural and social anxieties that dominated the late nineteenth century – it is also a cracking read!

This is a six week course, but there will be no session on 31st October 2025 during the half term week.

Week 1: Introduction to the fin de siècle and The Picture of Dorian Gray (Preface and Chapters 1 – 5)

Week 2: The Picture of Dorian Gray (Chapters 6 – 11)

Week 3: The Picture of Dorian Gray (Chapters 12 – end)

Week 4: Dracula (Chapters 1 – 9)

Week 5: Dracula (Chapters 10 –18)

Week 6: Dracula (Chapters 19 – end)

In advance of each session specific extracts that we will focus on in the class will be sent out to attendees.