All the Year Round

Without any illustrations in the publication of The Moonstone in All The Year Round, it leaves the interpretation of the story up to the reader. Having no illustrations in the publication seems to suggest that the readers are more sophisticated and do not need “pictures” to go alone with their readings. Even with the way the page layout seems to suggest a sophistication of the reader as there is the Shakespeare quote at the top of the page. It is as though the point of this publication is intended to share the content of the story rather than trying to influence the reader to buy products or be influenced to read the story with certain intentions and influences. As Leighton and Surridge argue “The non-illustrated version of the novel was highly complicated in narrative structure, with strategically delayed revelations and narrative red herrings as well as competing accounts of events by multiple narrators with differing points of view.” (Leighton and Surridge 210-211). Having no visuals throughout the publication it forces the reader to create their own opinion about the reading rather than subconsciously being influenced by other content while reading each installment of the novel.  

Collins, Wilkie “Chapter VIII” The Moonstone. Oxford University Press, 2008. pp 351- 364. Print.  

Leighton, Mary Elizabeth and Lisa Surridge. "The Transatlantic Moonstone: A Study of the Illustrated Serial   in Harper's Weekly." Victorian Periodicals Review, vol. 42 no. 3, 2009, p. 207-243. Project                  MUSE, doi:10.1353/vpr.0.0083.