1842 - 1843: "Pied Piper of Hamelin" to The Cry of the Children

Chronology of World, British and American Literature

Robert Browning. British. 1842. Poetry. “Pied Piper of Hamelin.” Piper lures rats to drowning. When not paid, he lures children, who vanish.

Dickens. British. 1842. Travel. American Notes. Travel sketches. Gave great offense in U.S. Harsh, patronizing observations.

Edgar Allan Poe. American. 1843. Story. “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Buries dismembered victim. While police search, hears beating of dead man’s heart. In a frenzy, he confesses to the killing; ticking was the dead man’s watch.

Dickens. British. 1843. Story. “A Christmas Carol.” Conversion of Scrooge by visions of Christmases past, present and to come. Becomes benevolent, loving.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning. British. 1843. Poetry. The Cry of the Children. Intense sympathy for victims of child labor in English mines and factories.