Victorian Short Stories: Stories of Courtship

“Victorian Short Stories: Stories of Courtship” by W. S. Gilbert et al. is a collection of romantic tales written in the late 19th century. This anthology explores various aspects of courtship, featuring characters from different walks of life navigating the intricacies of love and social expectations. The stories highlight the trials and tribulations faced by the protagonists as they grapple with their feelings, societal norms, and personal dilemmas. The opening of the collection introduces “Angela: An Inverted Love Story” by William Schwenk Gilbert. It centers around a paralyzed man who spends years observing a young woman named Angela from his window in Venice, developing a romantic connection through inverted reflections in the canal below. Their relationship unfolds through a playful exchange of flowers, symbolizing a budding yet innocent courtship. However, the story takes a poignant turn when the man learns that Angela is engaged to her brother, ultimately revealing that his feelings were reciprocated in a context of sympathy rather than romantic love. This setup not only sets the tone for the romantic theme of the collection but also foreshadows the complexities of love and longing that are present in courtship narratives.