This book is a study of literary and social conventions in nineteenth-century England and the way in which their coincidence or divergence reveals characteristics of the age. The author reveals certain underlying assumptions about human society and existence in general, as well as certain literary strategies and techniques- both conscience and unconscience- manifest in nineteenth century literature. Characters in Victorian literature demonstrate foreseeable combinations of attributes approximating conventional types. These types often operate within equally conventional moral designs and constitute a literary typology, such as the saintly woman, the fallen woman, the faithful lover, and the prodigal son, all of which clearly evoke traditional associations. Certain conventional narrative situations also gain significance when viewed as part of this larger pattern of belief. Discussing each topic individually, the author examines a large number of works by nineteenth century writers and shows how each writer has interpreted and used the convention according to his own moral view of the world. -- from Book Jacket.