Victorian Era Context

Question 1

‘New Women’

Answer 1

A women of the Victorian era, who’s purpose is to present the fact women can be independent and not reliant on men in society. (Mrs Cheveley, Laura and Lizzy and speakers in Rossetti’s poems).

Question 2

Who did Rossetti help?

Answer 2

‘Fallen Women’- Women who gave into temptation for pleasure. Rossetti helped these women to overcome their fear, and grow and learn from their mistakes. Mary Magdalene Hospital.

Question 3

Feminism

Answer 3

Exaggerated in both writer’s work through their empowerment of women. Also, the fact Wilde was a radical feminist, and therefore presents Mrs Cheveley to be witty, manipulative and independent. Contrasting to typical gender roles.

Question 4

Overcoming mistakes

Answer 4

Both writers strongly believed in the fact that people had the ability to overcome mistakes, and become stronger people from that. In particular, Sir Robert’s government secrets, and Lady Chiltern’s forgiveness of him, and also Laura’s strength to overcome the Goblins (symbolise the men in society).

Question 5

Power

Answer 5

Religion (Rossetti’s religious mania), Gender (swapping gender roles to humiliate men and empower women) and government (lack of power, and purpose as Wilde strongly believed).

Question 6

Wilde’s intent

Answer 6

• Empower Women (feminism)
• Expose society of it’s faults
• Present the government as pointless
• Show that people can overcome mistakes, and grow as a person

Question 7

Rossetti’s intent

Answer 7

• Empower Women (swap gender roles)
• Expose men of society’s true intentions
• Show that people can overcome harmful mistakes

Question 8

Public v Private Spheres

Answer 8

• Public: The public eye, where men had to protect their reputation at all costs
• Private: The private eye, where men were secretive about their true intentions, and committed awful sins