The Representation of the ‘New Woman’ in Late Victorian Fiction: the Case of Grant Allen’s The Woman who did (1895) and Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure (1895)
Loading...
Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi-Ouzou
Abstract
This dissertation explores the issue of the New Woman in Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure
and Grant Allen’s novel The Woman who did, both first published in 1895. The intended
purpose of this study is to put into implementation Frederic Jameson’s theory The Political
Unconscious that is explored in his theoretical book entitled The Political Unconscious:
Literature as a Socially Symbolic Act (1981). Our discussion shows how the Victorian
Institution of Marriage, and Religion were harsh on the lives of the British people
particularly women. We have demonstrated that a group called New Women emerged to
oppose those imposed ideals. This group came into existence in order to gain their rights in
all domains. Sue Bridehead in Thomas Hardy’s novel Jude the Obscure and Herminia Barton
in Grant Allen’s the Woman who did are chosen to be New Women heroines whose attitudes
towards marriage, education and religion seem to be in opposition. Accordingly, this work
has shown that Thomas Hardy’sJude the Obscure and Grant Allen’s the Woman Who did are
socially symbolic acts.
Description
53p.;30cm.(+cd)
Keywords
Citation
Media Studies