Date of Award
2015
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
English
Abstract
The New Woman described in short fiction and editorial articles in British periodicals not only presented the ideal New Woman to readers, but served to shape the perceptions of the reader depending on the demographic of the targeted reading audience for that specific periodical. The audience for specific British periodicals featuring the New Woman included conservative families whose youth saw the New Woman figure as a role model. The New Woman figure easily connected to readers, particularly young, female middle-class readers, who easily identified with her because she possessed similar socioeconomic characteristics. Just as there were many New Women characters in these periodicals experiencing triumph and turmoil, the real-life New Women reading these stories experienced similar trials and tribulations. Facing adversity, the New Women endeavored to shed a traditional domestic stereotype in British society in the periodicals whose audience was receptive to this progressive, yet still moderate figure.
Recommended Citation
Rosa, Lindsay, "Angel Outside the House: The New Woman in Brittish Periodicals 1890-1910" (2015). Graduate Thesis Collection. 261.
https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/grtheses/261