19th Century Romanticism (Hugo, Dumas, Sand)

1. Victor Hugo proclaimed "war on rhetoric and peace with syntax." What does this mean, and how does it manifest in his work?

2. Alexandre Dumas was accused of running a "novel factory." How do we evaluate the relationship between commercial success and literary merit?

3. George Sand challenged gender norms in both her life and work. How does her treatment of female desire differ from male writers of her era?

4. All three writers were politically engaged. How do they balance aesthetic goals with social commitment?

5. The Romantic concept of genius often excluded women and people of color. How might we reassess this period's values?