2. The Barsetshire Novels—Deal with upper middle class, especially clergymen and their families. Pictures of quiet country life. Realism. Evenness of tone. Favorite situation: the man who has compromised himself and is in danger of ruin. Description of the leading characters in these novels.
3. Four Novels—Give brief sketch of plot and description of the chief characters in Orley Farm, Phineas Finn, The Vicar of Bullhampton, and Can You Forgive Her? Readings from these books.
4. A Comparison of Trollope with Dickens and Thackeray—Their materials, plots, methods of treatment, and diverse styles. Their relative popularity and standing to-day. Influence of Thackeray on Trollope.
Books to Consult—Anthony Trollope: Autobiography. Cross: The Development of the English Novel. Saintsbury: English Literature of the Nineteenth Century.
One of the famous women in the books of this decade is Mrs. Proudie, the wife of the Bishop of Barchester. Read a description of her, her methods of management, and the retribution which overtook her. The Rev. Mr. Slope is also a well-known character in connection with the Proudies.
VII—BULWER LYTTON
1. Life—Birth and childhood. Fondness for medieval romances (compare Sir Walter Scott). Cambridge and the Chancellor's gold medal. Romantic adventures in the North. Unhappy marriage. Necessity the motive to work. Twelve novels in ten years. His plays. Parliament. Colonial secretaryship. The peerage. Westminster Abbey.
2. Novels—The novel of society: Pelham. The novel of adventure: Paul Clifford. The novel of crime: Eugene Aram. The novel of domestic life: My Novel. The novel of history: Last Days of Pompeii.
3. Plays—Lady of Lyons, Richelieu, Money. Analysis of plots, description of chief characters, and readings.
4. Critical Estimate of His Work and Place in Literature.