Written and researched as part of a series of public presentations about feminist rewriting, the title of this paper is likely to raise questions about the relevance of a seemingly male author who was either reincarnated or who suffered from schizophrenia. The plural form lives and its appropriateness only becomes self-explanatory when a key feature about our subject is revealed: The playwright, poet and diarist discussed in this essay was in fact not a man, but the invention of two women. Michael Field was the shared pseudonym of Katharine Harris Bradley (1846-1914) and her niece Edith Emma Cooper (1862-1913), who lived together in Southern England for over forty years and collaborated in publishing 27 tragedies, 8 volumes of lyrics, and a masque. Moreover, they began co-writing a journal under the name of Michael Field in 1888, which they updated for the rest of their lives, eventually filling 28 volumes. These diaries are nowadays a valuable artefact of fin-de-siecle culture and society due to the detailed documentation of events and their public reception. They furthermore provide insight into the unconventional relationship these two women led, with its focus shifting from literary collaboration to one of romantic love.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Works: Themes, Aims and Influences
- The Relationship
- Political and Social Activity
- The Identity of Michael Field
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the life and work of Michael Field, a pseudonym shared by Katharine Harris Bradley and Edith Emma Cooper, who collaborated on plays, poetry, and a journal over four decades. The paper explores their decision to adopt a male pseudonym, the themes and influences that shaped their work, and the unconventional nature of their relationship.
- The use of a male pseudonym by two women to gain literary recognition
- Themes of death, mystery, and religion in their writings
- Influences of classical and Renaissance culture, especially Sappho
- The evolution of their relationship from aunt and niece to a romantic partnership
- Their political and social activism, including the struggle for women's rights and aesthetic dress reform
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The Introduction sets the stage by introducing the concept of feminist rewriting and revealing the true identity of Michael Field as a pseudonym for Katharine Harris Bradley and Edith Emma Cooper. It highlights their shared pseudonym, their prolific literary output, and their detailed diaries, which offer insight into their unconventional relationship.
The chapter titled The Works: Themes, Aims and Influences delves into the reasons behind their decision to use a male pseudonym, arguing that it was a strategic move to gain recognition in a male-dominated literary landscape. This chapter explores the recurring themes of death, mystery, and religion in their work, along with the influence of classical and Renaissance culture and the ancient Greek poet Sappho.
The Relationship chapter focuses on the complex dynamic between Bradley and Cooper. It traces the evolution of their relationship from a familial one to a romantic partnership, drawing evidence from their personal diaries and writings. It explores the nuances of their love for each other, contrasting it with their occasional romantic interests in men.
The Political and Social Activity chapter examines the involvement of Bradley and Cooper in various social and political movements. It highlights their commitment to women's rights, their membership in the Aesthetic Dress Movement, and Bradley's activism in animal rights through her involvement with the Clifton Anti-Vivisection Society.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Michael Field, Katharine Harris Bradley, Edith Emma Cooper, feminist rewriting, Victorian literature, lesbian relationships, literary collaboration, male pseudonym, themes of death, mystery, religion, Sappho, classical and Renaissance influences, women's rights, Aesthetic Dress Movement, animal rights.
- Quote paper
- Swantje Tönnies (Author), 2006, The Lives of Michael Field, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/92535
