Courses and Workshops

Inventing and Constructing a Self: Three 19th Century British Novels

Stephanie Wells
Monday, Apr. 1, 2024, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (PT)
Repeats every Monday until Monday, May. 6, 2024
Price: $155.00
88 slots available
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In this course, we will read and discuss Shelley's Frankenstein, Brontë's Jane Eyre, and Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray to explore the ways that the changing ideals of Victorian culture inform the creation of a self — whether that be one's own self, or the metaphorical or literal creation of another! In examining these constructed selves, we'll contextualize them within the social norms of their day with regards to gender, class, sexual identity, education, and religion to trace how these factors inform the characters in their imaginative and self-defining quests.

Faculty Bio

Stephanie Wells has a B.A. from UC Berkeley, an M.A. from University of Virginia, and a Ph.D. from UC Davis, with a focus on modernism and postmodernism in American and British novels and poetry. She currently teaches at College of Marin.

This is an In-Person + Livestreamed Course

  • Classes meet in person at the Golden Bear Center, Suite 202/204, at 1995 University Ave., Berkeley
  • Classes will also stream live simultaneously
  • Classes will not be video recorded
  • You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.

Schedule Highlights

  • Course starts on Monday, April 1, and ends on Monday, May 6
  • Classes meet for 6 weeks, 2 hours per session (10–noon)
  • All course materials will remain available to view and enjoy in Member Dashboards through May 31

Member Praise for Stephanie Wells

Absolutely OUTSTANDING! I treasure every moment of this course. Thank you Stephanie Wells for teaching these courses and sharing your insights so freely and enthusiastically. I have learned so much in such a short time. 

An intelligent, stimulating instructor who is well versed in her subject. I would say the same for all of the courses I have taken from Stephanie Wells.

All the material selected was organized, presented and discussed thoughtfully and shared with great insight that expanded my appreciation, perspective of understanding. I found it so exciting and rewarding to both meet and revisit so many authors and explore the wide range of material, subjects and styles explored by these women.

Faculty Q&A