
Mistress of the House
Women of Property in the Victorian Novel
Tim Dolin(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 11. November 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
168 pages
978-1-138-26744-2 (ISBN)
Description
This exploration of gender and property ownership in eight important novels argues that property is a decisive undercurrent in narrative structures and modes, as well as an important gender signature in society and culture. Tim Dolin suggests that the formal development of nineteenth-century domestic fiction can only be understood in the context of changes in the theory and laws of property: indeed femininity and its representation cannot be considered separately from property relations and their reform. He presents original readings of novels in which a woman owns, acquires or loses property, focusing on exchanges between patriarchal cultural authority, the 'woman question' and narrative form, and on the place of domestic fiction in a culture in which property relations and gender relations are subject to radical review. Each chapter revolves around a representative text, but refers substantially to other material, both other novels and contemporary social, legal, political and feminist commentary.
Reviews / Votes
'the readings of [Dolin's] chosen works..are attentive to both important textual details and relevant historical contexts.' Nineteenth-Century Literature 'Dolin does not make sustained arguements so much as a series of fine distinctions and evocative insights. But these critical coruscations are so smart, stylish, and thought-provoking, that they are bound to light up bigger ideas for each reader. It is an eciting addition to a rapidly growing field.' Talia Schaffer, Victorian StudiesMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
266 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-138-26744-2 (9781138267442)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
12/2016
Routledge
€79.49
Available for download

E-Book
12/2016
Routledge
€79.49
Available for download

Book
12/1997
1st Edition
Ashgate Publishing Limited
€205.90
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
Tim Dolin
Content
Contents: Introduction; Women, property and victorian fiction; A woman, and something more: Shirley; Cranford and its belongings; 'He could get, but not keep': Villette; Crimes of property: The Moonstone; Hardy's uncovered women; Mistress of herself: Diana of the Crossways; Appendix 1: A brief summary of the laws concerning women (1854); Appendix 2: The Caroline Norton affair; Bibliography; Index.