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The Inheritors by Joseph Conrad and Ford Madox Ford: unravelling Victorian society through the lens of the Press
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Abstract(s)
The Inheritors: an extravagant story (1901), written collaboratively by Joseph Conrad and Ford Madox Ford, delves into the intricate nuances of Victorian society, exploring the interplay between wealth, power and morality, by means of a quasi-science fiction (or merely “extravagant”) plot. Set against the backdrop of late 19th century London, the novel examines Victorian Society where wealth disparity, unrestrained capitalism, and
relentless industry shape evolving socio-economic landscapes. The novel explores the personal struggles of the main characters, Duc the Mersch – the philanthropist, and financier of the state foundation project in Greenland; Gurnard – the inscrutable, “cynically immoral politician”, Chancellor of the Exchequer and a Dimensionist –; Churchill – the Foreign Minister –; Fox, the editor of the newspaper the Hour; the morally
conflicted artist/journalist, Arthur Granger Eschingan; and his so-called sister, also a Dimensionist, in addition to the broader societal challenges they face. By exploring the intertwined lives of these characters, the authors offer a critique of the decadent moral Victorian society through the lens of the Hour, a fictional representation of the Victorian Newspaper industry, created by the Duc de Mersch “to pat the Government’s back;
influence public opinion”. Through Arthur’s journalistic pursuits and ethical dilemmas, in the attempt of aspiring to rise in society, but illusively succumbing to sentimental urging, the work reflects on the fine line between objective reporting and sensationalism, resonating with the challenges faced by journalists during that time. This paper aims to highlight some insights offered by the novel, namely class distinctions, imperialism, and the clash between tradition and progress, as well as exploring the power of the press in political decision-making, entwining the fictional representation of the Hour of the Victorian Newspaper industry with the press of that time.
Description
Keywords
Victorian society Imperialism Press Human morality Artistic integrity
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Silva, Elisabete Mendes (2023). The Inheritors by Joseph Conrad and Ford Madox Ford: unravelling Victorian society through the lens of the Press. In Ford Madox Ford: at the dawn of an era International Symposium. Lisboa
Publisher
Universidade de Lisboa