What can short stories tell us about diverse and changing attitudes towards gender, as well as 19th-century life in general? In this discussion-based literature course, we will survey a mix of 19th-century short stories by female authors. Our reading will include both famous and lesser-known authors, from Elizabeth Gaskell, Mary Shelley, and L.M. Montgomery to Scottish-born Flora Annie Steel, whose life in India greatly shaped her works; Canadian Annie Howells Fréchette, writer for the Toronto Star and McClure’s Magazine; and Australian-born George Egerton, who wrote under a male pseudonym (as did many women). As we discuss these authors and their works, we will inevitably be led to questions such as:
* Why do some authors and their tales remain popular while others “disappear”?
* Have women’s short stories been underrepresented in historical considerations of the genre?
* How do these stories written by women portray men, women, and their interaction? Do they do justice to both genders?
* Do any of these 19th century stories transcend the historical period in which they were written, dramatizing universal human experience? Might any of them be considered a “lost” classic?
Books to buy:
Stephenson, Glennis. Nineteenth-Century Stories by Women, Broadview Press.
New Participant: $140.00
Returning Participant: $200.00
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 PM
Location: Zoom
Course leaders: Veronica Noble, Michael Tritt and another
First session: January 14 2026
Course length: 12 weeks
Degree credit: 3 credits
Maximum number of participants: 16
Please note that the Thomas More Institute does not allow participants to audit courses for free.
About the Thomas More Institute: The Thomas More Institute has been providing adults with stimulating lifelong learning opportunities in Montreal since 1945. A secular and non-profit academic institution, TMI offers an ever-evolving choice of university-level courses in the liberal arts, including discussion-based courses, lecture-style courses, writing workshops, and more. Our courses are held in small groups, offering an alternative learning environment to that of traditional university courses. You can take individual courses that interest you, or work toward a structured bachelor of arts degree or comprehensive certificate that involve additional coursework. Share Your Curiosity at TMI!
About course fees: all prices displayed include Tuition and the Administrative fee.
Leaders of another course, and anyone else wishing to register by phone, should call (514) 935-9585 to register.
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