Structure: thematic unity
Abstract
Serial composition at considerable length encouraged a loose and rambling structure. Tickwick was unashamedly a series of barely connected episodes. Nicholas Nickleby was held together by its hero’s progress from genteel poverty to modest affluence. But although he was not afraid to exploit the serial form by departing from his obviously plotted course, Dickens was concerned to give his novels a more definite unity and cohesion than could be attained by reliance on the continuity of characters, authorial tone, and general emotional climate.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Categorization
perception
and language
Central European and Russian historical studies
Sociopolitical Dynamics in Russia
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 52–57
- Publication date
- 9 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter