The Case of the Initial Letter
Gavin Edwards
The Case of the Initial Letter analyses attempts by Dickens and other nineteenth-century writers to challenge established ways using distinction between upper lower-case letters, do so in interests a wider radicalism. It discusses Dickens’s satire – on power ‘Shares’ Our Mutual Friend, Paul Dombey’s position as ‘Son’ Dombey Son alongside proto-modernist typography suffragist poet Augusta Webster work Samuel Moore, Karl Marx’s principle translator who transformed German conventions capitalisation into English under influence Thomas Carlyle. Placing these innovations within history dual alphabet from its invention Carolingian scribes eighth century rejection modernist poets Bauhaus printers, book tracks through manuscripts corrected proofs, well ‘prompt copies’ for his public Readings. alphabet, unlike aspects language, works metaphorically, basis visual resemblance: elevated letters are things. follows it moves author, printer, performer, changing handwriting print, disappearing transition visible spoken language.