Miss Clack As The Authority

     The presentation of All The Year Round’s serialization of The Moonstone instantly produces a shift in the method of reading, with the format taking that of a book in stark contrast to the Harper’s Weekly format that caters towards a more casual read. When brought into the context of Miss Clack and her religious affiliations, the All The Year Round embodies a Biblical style, and with a distinct lack of advertisements, possesses less content to influence the Christian narrative of Miss Clack. Dicken’s publication instead serves to reinforce the Christian narrative in juxtaposition to Harper’s Weekly undermining it, emphasizing the legitimacy of Miss Clack’s narrative as opposed to the satirical take pushed forth by the American counterpart.

     With the Biblical structure of All The Year Round being apparent, it becomes evident that the format catered towards the crowd consuming The Moonstone. As quoted by Christiane Gannon “Evangelicals were urged to accept the supremacy of the Bible as the “rule of faith” (Gannon 302), and a story possessing a Christian woman narrating whilst being communicated through a Biblical format reinforces this notion, supporting a Christian audience whilst legitimizing Miss Clack’s Christian values. Miss Clack’s “Christian duty” (Collins 239) takes a form of authority when presented in All The Year Round, fighting against the satirical influences found in the American publication and influencing the reader to a place of comradery with the Christian woman.