The aim of this paper is to outline the complexity of the representations of the ‘fallen woman.’ All representations involved the fear of deviancy and the attempt to preserve the social and moral order. However, the strategies to deal with the ‘problem’ called ‘fallen woman’ were divergent.
This paper is structured along modern forms of thinking. In Victorian times the differentiation of the religious, medical, judicial and literary fields was not as clear-cut as it is today. For this reason, the primary texts selected for the distinctive chapters might appear to belong to several discourses, not just the one assigned to them. It will become evident that the discourses on the ‘fallen woman’ reveal similar representations as well as contradictory ones. Even though the structure proposes the separation of the representations as victim and as threat, there are overlaps and the distinctions are not as definite as the outline suggests.
In order to demonstrate basic ideas about the ‘fallen woman,’ there will be a strong focus on the female prostitute. Many aspects of the discourse on the ‘fallen woman’ become clear when looking at the topic of prostitution, which was thematized in Victorian culture and politics. Moreover, the term ‘stereotype’ will play a major role in this analysis.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Victorian Background
- Definition of the ‘Fallen Woman’
- The Norm of ‘Respectable’ Femininity
- The ‘Fallen Woman’ as a Social Threat
- Representations of the ‘Fallen Woman’ in Medical Discourse
- The ‘Unnaturalness’ of the ‘Fallen Woman’
- The ‘Fallen Woman’ as a Warning and as a Scapegoat
- Representations of the ‘Fallen Woman’ in Legal Discourse
- The ‘Fallen Woman’ as an Object of Desire
- The ‘Fallen Woman’ as Demonic and Criminal
- The ‘Fallen Woman’ as a Victim
- Representations of the ‘Fallen Woman’ in Religious Discourse
- The ‘Woman’ in the Prostitute
- Emotional Excess in Representing the ‘Fallen Woman’
- Representations of the ‘Fallen Woman’ in Literary Discourse
- Nancy as the ‘Fallen Woman’
- Nancy as a Victim
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the multifaceted representations of the "fallen woman" in dominant Victorian discourses, highlighting the complexities and contradictions in how this figure was perceived and portrayed. The analysis focuses on the ways in which societal anxieties about deviancy from established norms shaped the construction of the "fallen woman" as both a threat and a victim. * The definition and social construction of the "fallen woman" within the context of Victorian class and gender structures. * The role of medical, legal, religious, and literary discourses in shaping representations of the "fallen woman." * The contrasting portrayals of the "fallen woman" as a social threat and as a victim of societal forces. * The use of stereotypes and myths in perpetuating negative representations of female deviancy. * The connection between representations of the "fallen woman" and the issue of prostitution in Victorian society.Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the paper's central objective: to analyze the complex and often contradictory representations of the "fallen woman" in Victorian society. It emphasizes a discursive approach, arguing that the concept of the "fallen woman" itself was actively constructed through various discourses, including medical, legal, religious, and literary ones. The chapter introduces key theoretical frameworks, such as Foucault's understanding of power and discourse, and defines the terms "representation," "stereotype," and "myth" within the context of the analysis. It also outlines the paper's structure and its focus on the female prostitute as a key example to illustrate the discourse surrounding the "fallen woman." Victorian Background: This section delves into the historical and social context of the "fallen woman" in Victorian England. It begins by defining the "fallen woman" as a woman who has lost her chastity, emphasizing that this concept was largely a middle-class construction rooted in specific bourgeois values. The chapter contrasts middle-class anxieties about the working class and their perceived "immorality," portraying the working class as a homogeneous "Other" whose deviation from bourgeois norms posed a significant social threat. The chapter uses excerpts from the *Lancet* to highlight the stark class distinctions and the dehumanizing portrayal of the poor as driven by animalistic instincts. This section lays the groundwork for understanding how the "fallen woman" was not just a social deviancy but also a product of social class and gender dynamics.Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of the "Fallen Woman" in Victorian Discourse
What is the main topic of this text?
This text provides a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted representations of the "fallen woman" in Victorian society. It examines how this figure was constructed and portrayed across various dominant discourses, including medical, legal, religious, and literary ones, highlighting the complexities and contradictions inherent in these representations.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include the social construction of the "fallen woman" within Victorian class and gender structures; the influence of medical, legal, religious, and literary discourses on shaping her image; the contrasting portrayals of her as both a social threat and a victim; the role of stereotypes and myths in perpetuating negative representations; and the connection between the "fallen woman" and prostitution in Victorian society.
What is the text's methodology?
The text employs a discursive approach, focusing on how the concept of the "fallen woman" was actively constructed through different discourses. It utilizes Foucault's understanding of power and discourse as a theoretical framework. The analysis examines representations, stereotypes, and myths surrounding the "fallen woman," using the female prostitute as a key example.
What is the Victorian background provided in the text?
The text defines the "fallen woman" as a woman who has lost her chastity, highlighting its middle-class origins and the anxieties it provoked. It contrasts middle-class values with the perceived "immorality" of the working class, showing how class distinctions played a crucial role in shaping the image of the "fallen woman." The analysis draws on examples from the *Lancet* to illustrate the dehumanizing portrayals of the poor.
How does the text represent the "fallen woman"?
The text explores contrasting representations of the "fallen woman," portraying her both as a social threat and a victim of societal forces. It analyzes how different discourses (medical, legal, religious, literary) contributed to these diverse portrayals and the perpetuation of negative stereotypes.
What are the chapter summaries included in the text?
The text includes summaries for an introduction and a chapter on the Victorian background. The introduction outlines the study's objective and methodology, while the Victorian background chapter delves into the historical and social context of the "fallen woman," defining the term and exploring its connection to class and gender dynamics.
What is the purpose of the table of contents?
The table of contents provides a structured overview of the text's organization, detailing the main sections and sub-sections, allowing readers to quickly navigate the content and understand the scope of the analysis.
What are the objectives of the text?
The main objective is to explore the multifaceted representations of the "fallen woman" in dominant Victorian discourses, highlighting the complexities and contradictions in how this figure was perceived and portrayed. The analysis aims to understand how societal anxieties shaped the construction of the "fallen woman" as both a threat and a victim.
What are some key words related to this analysis?
Key words include: Fallen woman, Victorian era, social construction, gender, class, medical discourse, legal discourse, religious discourse, literary discourse, representation, stereotype, myth, prostitution, deviancy, respectability.
- Quote paper
- Tabea Halbmeyer (Author), 2013, The fallen woman. Representations in dominant victorian discourses, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/926318
