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Charles Dickens, 'Hard Times' and Hyperbole

Dickens' use of exaggeration is key to his style. But its use has myriad effects from making a character's disposition unmissable, to adding whimsy and humour.

Jane Austen, 'Persuasion': Irony and the Mysterious Vagaries of Narrative

Narrative, the way a tale is told, is less straightforward than we might suppose. Austen handled irony brilliantly and systematically exploited new ways of narrating, including free indirect discourse. This lecture explores why Austen's way of narrating are so compelling.

Have There Been Cycles of Popularity For Jane Austen?

A question from the lecture 'Jane Austen, Persuasion: Irony and...

Fairytale endings and complex irony - How do these reconcile with each other?

A question from the lecture 'Jane Austen, Persuasion: Irony and...

Hans Holbein the Younger: 'a man very excellent in taking of physionamies'

Hans Holbein the Younger, portraitist, muralist, designer of jewellery and precious metalware, spent half of his distinguished career in London during the turbulent reign of King Henry VIII.