Volume IV Special Issue IV April 2024

Name of Author : Sonam Kumari

Title of the paper : Victorian Paradox: Queenly Power and The Silenced Echoes of Female Rights

Abstract: This article explores the Victorian Paradox, examining the juxtaposition of queenly power embodied by Queen Victoria and the muted echoes of female rights during the 19th-century era. Despite the visible influence of a female monarch, societal norms constrained the broader rights of women, creating a paradoxical dynamic that shaped the Victorian era. In the annals of literary history, one name stands as a testament to the transformative power of words –George Eliot. Born Mary Ann Evans, she defied societal norms and literary conventions, leaving an indelible mark on literature transcending the boundaries of her pseudonymous existence. Eliots brilliance overshadowed the constraints of her time, resonating with readers far beyond the Victorian society that birthed her novels. This article delves into the multifaceted nature of this paradox, considering the impact on politics, societal expectations, and the emerging voices challenging gender norms, such as the suffragette movement. Literary reflections and historical developments contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding female authority and the simultaneous suppression of womens voices. This study is unique in that it examines the ways in which culture and ideology shape female gender identification in the context of Victorian patriarchy.

Keywords : Victorian Paradox, Female Rights, suffragette movement, Queenly Power, Cult of Domesticity.

DOI :

Page Number : 70-75