The field of lesbian studies is often framed in terms of the relation between lesbianism and invisibility. Annamarie Jagose here takes a radical new approach, suggesting that the focus on invisibility and visibility is perhaps not the most productive way of looking at lesbian representability. Jagose argues that the theoretical preoccupation with metaphors of visibility is part of the problem it attempts to remedy. In her account, the regulatory difference between heterosexuality and homosexuality relies less on codes of visual recognition than on a cultural adherence to the force of first order, second order sexual sequence. As Jagose points out, sequence does not simply specify what comes before and what comes after; it also implies precedence: what comes first and what comes second. Jagose reads canonical novels by Charles Dickens, Henry James, Virginia Woolf, and Daphne du Maurier, drawing upon their elaboration of sexual sequence. In these innovative readings, tropes such as first and second, origin and outcome, and heterosexuality and homosexuality are shown to reinforce heterosexual precedence. Inconsequence intervenes in current debates in lesbian historiography, taking as its pivotal moment the fin-de-siècle phenomenon of the sexological codification of sexual taxonomies and concluding with a reading of a post-Kinsey pulp sexological text. Throughout, Jagose reminds us that categories of sexual registration are always back-formations, secondary, and belated, not only for those who identify as lesbian but also for all sexual subjects.

Tells the story of Hattie Coram, who was abandoned as a baby at the London Foundling Hospital. She is trained as a domestic servant and becomes a maid in Charles Dickens' household where she is plagued by the nickname "Tattycoram" and eventually used by Dickens as a character in his novel, Little Dorrit.

Charles Dickens' 'The Complete Christmas Novels & Tales (Illustrated)' is a collection of timeless stories that capture the essence of the holiday season with themes of generosity, redemption, and the spirit of Christmas. Dickens's signature blend of social commentary and vivid characterizations shines through in each tale, immersing readers in the bustling streets of Victorian London. The collection showcases Dickens' mastery of storytelling and his ability to create unforgettable characters that resonate with readers of all ages. The beautifully illustrated edition enhances the reading experience, bringing the tales to life in a new and captivating way. This collection is a must-read for literature lovers, Dickens enthusiasts, and anyone looking to experience the magic of Christmas through the lens of one of the greatest storytellers in history.

A sweet-natured seamstress has lived all her life in the Marshalsea debtors' prison, where her family has been in custody since before her birth. When Little Dorrit ventures out of jail to work, she meets Arthur Clennam, who's trying to free himself from the burden of his family business. The state of captivity — as an experience, metaphor, and theme — is the focus of Little Dorrit. Charles Dickens drew upon childhood memories of his father's confinement to tell this story of people imprisoned by poverty, ignorance, and the lure of money and power. Acclaimed by George Bernard Shaw as Dickens' "masterpiece among many masterpieces," the novel presents a radical indictment of the arrogance and parasitism of genteel society. Its satire of corrupt bureaucracies, embodied by the Circumlocution Office and its policy of "How not to do it," remains as relevant to our time as it was the Victorians'. Blending tragedy, comedy, and mystery, the tale abounds in Dickens' exuberant language and deft characterizations.

'No words can express the secret agony of my soul'. Dickens's tantalising hint alluding to his time at Warren's Blacking Factory remains a gnomic statement until Forster's biography after Dickens's death. Such a revelation partly explains the dominance of biography in early Dickens criticism; Dickens's own childhood was understood to provide the material for his writing, particularly his representation of the child and childhood. Yet childhood in Dickens continues to generate a significant level of critical interest. This volume of essays traces the shifting importance given to childhood in Dickens criticism. The essays consider a range of subjects such as the Romantic child, the child and the family, and the child as a vehicle for social criticism, as well as current issues such as empire, race and difference, and death. Written by leading researchers and educators, this selection of previously published articles and book chapters is representative of key developments in this field. Given the perennial importance of the child in Dickens this volume is an indispensable reference work for Dickens specialists and aficionados alike.