Title: Subversive discourse
First published: 1995
Description: In the midst of political agitation and increased public visibility, late Victorian feminists turned to writing novels as a means of furthering their political cause without alienating readers. Subversive Discourse reevaluates this culturally significant literature that has long been considered sub-literary.

An engaging investigation into the specific circumstances surrounding the production of late Victorian feminist novels, Subversive Discourse delves into the politics and ideologies feminist novels addressed and challenged. This study also considers how aesthetic ideologies served to contain and negate progressive literary agendas such as that of the feminists.

Kranidis argues that the Realists appropriated feminist literary and social accomplishments and hence challenges the notion that the Realists were pro-feminist. The author outlines the character of late Victorian feminism, reactionary opposition to it, and the narrative and textual strategies devised by feminists to ensure their texts' publication in a conservative literary marketplace.
Subjects: Discourse analysis, Literary, Dissenters in literature, English Feminist fiction, English fiction, Feminism and literature, Feminist fiction, English, History, History and criticism, Literary Discourse analysis, Literature and society, Social norms in literature, Women and literature, Women authors, Women's rights in literature, Discourse analysis, English fiction, history and criticism, 19th century, English fiction, women authors
Places: Great Britain
Time periods: 19th century
LC classification: PR878.F45 K73 1995