The current paper focuses on the portrayal of the emotional development of three female figures in works of Edwardian literature. This development is crucial for the determination of their later fate and life due to the wisdom they acquire through their new experiences. The women in question are: Mrs Moore of "A Passage to India" (E. M. Forster, 1924) and Janet and Ursula Widdington of "Ladies in Lavender" in "Faraway Stories" (W. J. Locke, 1916).
The paper further places them in their corresponding literary background and finally draws some similarities and differences between each other. Due to the featured age and profile of these women we shall regard them as products of the Victorian society and witnesses of the transition from the Victorian to the Edwardian era. The emergence of the so-called ‘New Woman’ by the end of the nineteenth century with the accompanying women’s movement, the campaign for women’s suffrage as well as the terms ‘feminism’ and ‘feminist’ sought to create more space and independence for middle-class women, who were restricted to the customary household duties. The women who will be analysed are confronted with confusion and certain temptations that prompt them to question, if not defy, female social norms on very sensitive subjects such as the importance of Christian faith for the widowed Mrs Moore versus a more universal religion. Although she senses the universality of all creation, she does not consciously surrender to it, because she is disheartened by the fact that she cannot conceive of an adequate religion that represents such a pioneering idea.
The other topic addresses the potential to effectively fall in love as a marginalised spinster and claim not only the social benefits of marital life, e.g. as a mother, but also the joys of a sexually active life. The spreading of single women –referred to also as ‘surplus women’ or ‘redundant women’ – formed a social issue in the nineteenth century and was seen as a problem to be solved, as some of them even rebelled at the institution of marriage itself. In the featured short story we will see that, even if romance seemed to have arrived too late to the Widdington sisters, wisdom was acquired through the influence of the motto ‘youth flows magnetically to youth’4 and the forced acceptance of the irreversibility of time like a form of coming-of-age.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 A PASSAGE TO INDIA AND ITS BACKGROUND
1.2 LADIES IN LAVENDER AND ITS BACKGROUND
2. MRS MOORE’S EXPERIENCES
2.1 MOSQUE
2.2 CAVES
3. JANET’S AND URSULA’S EXPERIENCES
4. IN CONCLUSION: TWO SPINSTERS AND A WIDOW
Objectives & Key Themes
This paper examines the emotional development and psychological transitions of three female protagonists in Edwardian literature—Mrs. Moore from E. M. Forster’s "A Passage to India" and the Widdington sisters, Janet and Ursula, from W. J. Locke’s "Ladies in Lavender." It investigates how these women, as products of Victorian society, navigate societal constraints, questions of faith, and personal identity during the transition into the Edwardian era.
- The intersection of Victorian social norms and the emergence of the 'New Woman'.
- Mrs. Moore’s spiritual conflict and questioning of Christian faith in colonial India.
- The challenges of spinsterhood and the social stigma surrounding aging single women.
- The symbolic role of romantic disappointment and the 'coming-of-age' of older women.
- The impact of colonialism and cultural encounter on personal emotional landscapes.
Excerpt from the Book
1. INTRODUCTION
The current paper focuses on the portrayal of the emotional development of three female figures in works of Edwardian literature. This development is crucial for the determination of their later fate and life due to the wisdom they acquire through their new experiences. The women in question are: (1) Mrs Moore of A Passage to India (E. M. Forster, 1924); and (2) Janet and Ursula Widdington of Ladies in Lavender in Faraway Stories (W. J. Locke, 1916). The paper further places them in their corresponding literary background and finally draws some similarities and differences between each other. Due to the featured age and profile of these women we shall regard them as products of the Victorian society and witnesses of the transition from the Victorian to the Edwardian era. The emergence of the so-called ‘New Woman’ by the end of the nineteenth century with the accompanying women’s movement, the campaign for women’s suffrage as well as the terms ‘feminism’ and ‘feminist’ sought to create more space and independence for middle-class women, who were restricted to the customary household duties. The women who will be analysed are confronted with confusion and certain temptations that prompt them to question, if not defy, female social norms on very sensitive subjects such as the importance of Christian faith for the widowed Mrs Moore versus a more universal religion. Although she senses the universality of all creation, she does not consciously surrender to it, because she is disheartened by the fact that she cannot conceive of an adequate religion that represents such a pioneering idea. The other topic addresses the potential to effectively fall in love as a marginalised spinster and claim not only the social benefits of marital life, e.g. as a mother, but also the joys of a sexually active life. The spreading of single women – referred to also as ‘surplus women’ or ‘redundant women’ – formed a social issue in the nineteenth century and was seen as a problem to be solved, as some of them even rebelled at the institution of marriage itself. In the featured short story we will see that, even if romance seemed to have arrived too late to the Widdington sisters, wisdom was acquired through the influence of the motto ‘youth flows magnetically to youth’ and the forced acceptance of the irreversibility of time like a form of coming-of-age.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the focus on the emotional development of three female characters and their struggle against Victorian social norms as they transition into the Edwardian era.
1.1 A PASSAGE TO INDIA AND ITS BACKGROUND: Explores the literary and historical context of Forster’s work, emphasizing the colonial setting and the characters' quest to bridge East and West.
1.2 LADIES IN LAVENDER AND ITS BACKGROUND: Discusses the social issue of spinsterhood and how Locke portrays the restricted lives and romantic longings of the Widdington sisters.
2. MRS MOORE’S EXPERIENCES: Analyzes Mrs. Moore’s psychological and spiritual journey in India, focusing on her initial receptiveness to others and subsequent inner conflict.
2.1 MOSQUE: Details the initial, promising encounter between Mrs. Moore and Dr. Aziz, highlighting the potential for cross-cultural connection and sympathy.
2.2 CAVES: Examines the profound psychological shift in Mrs. Moore following the alienating experience in the Marabar Caves, leading to her spiritual disillusionment.
3. JANET’S AND URSULA’S EXPERIENCES: Tracks the sisters' emotional awakening through the arrival of a young stranger and their eventual realization regarding their societal fate.
4. IN CONCLUSION: TWO SPINSTERS AND A WIDOW: Synthesizes the experiences of all three women, positioning them as precursors to the ‘New Woman’ who navigate restricted social spheres.
Keywords
Edwardian literature, Victorian society, spinsterhood, Mrs. Moore, Widdington sisters, A Passage to India, Ladies in Lavender, New Woman, colonialism, social norms, Christian faith, spiritual conflict, gender roles, emotional development, marriage decline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of this study?
The study aims to analyze the emotional development of three female figures—Mrs. Moore, Janet Widdington, and Ursula Widdington—as they navigate and defy the social norms of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
What are the central thematic fields explored?
The key themes include the social status of spinsters, the clash between religious tradition and universal spirituality, the impact of colonialism, and the pursuit of individual identity within restrictive social frameworks.
What is the main research question?
The work investigates how these characters, as products of Victorian society, acquire wisdom through new experiences that force them to question and often redefine their traditional roles and expectations.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses a comparative literary analysis approach, drawing upon historical contexts of the nineteenth century and critical interpretations of the source texts to evaluate the characters' psychological development.
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section examines the specific experiences of Mrs. Moore in India and the Widdington sisters in Cornwall, focusing on how their unique encounters lead to personal transformations and critical responses to their respective societies.
What key terms best describe this work?
Core terms include Victorian womanhood, spinsterhood, colonial interaction, religious questioning, the 'New Woman', and literary character development.
How does the Marabar Caves incident affect Mrs. Moore's character?
The incident represents a turning point where the existential emptiness and "horror of the universe" shatter her traditional faith and sense of order, leading to her withdrawal and eventual disillusionment with humanity.
Why is the role of Andrea significant for the Widdington sisters?
Andrea serves as a catalyst for an emotional "coming-of-age." His presence forces the sisters to confront their repressed desires and the reality of their isolation, ultimately leading them to accept their fate as spinsters.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Michael Barkas (Autor:in), 2016, Confrontations with Religious and Social Norms. The Emotional Adventures of Three Women in Edwardian Literature, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/351261
