The narrative construction of the female body in the British novel of the 19th century

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Social, cultural and political background

1.1. A woman’s role in 19th century society

1.2. 19th century society’s opinions on courtship and marriage

1.3. Illness in the 19th century

2. Looks in the 19th century novel

2.1. Beauty and its consequences

2.2. The decline of beauty

2.3. The correlation between looks and character

3. The body in illness

3.1. Nervous illnesses – hysteria and hypochondria

3.2. Illness as the consequence of hysteria and grief

3.3. Illness – a token of change

3.3.1. Change of character

3.3.2. Change of plot

3.4. Illness as matchmaker

3.5. Illness affecting others

3.6. Illness as a means of punishing improper behavior

3.7. Fainting

3.8. Insanity

4. Revealing complexions

4.1. The blush

4.1.1. Revealing romantic feelings

4.1.2. Awareness of (in)correct conduct

4.1.3. Embarrassment

4.1.4. Guilty conscience

4.1.5. Excitement

4.1.6. Anger

4.2. Blanching

4.2.1. Psychological reasons for blanching and paleness

4.2.2. Paleness as a sign of physical illness

5. The body in motion

5.1. Demonstrations of the body

5.2. Moving (un)gracefully

5.3. Movement reflecting inner restlessness

5.4. ‘Moving together’

6. Proofs of sentiment

6.1. Caresses, kisses and tears

6.2. Looks

6.2.1. Expressive looks

6.2.2. Inquisitive looks

6.2.3. Inability and unwillingness to look

6.3. Smiles

6.4. Handshakes

6.5. Varieties of the voice

6.5.1. The voice as a means of proving a character’s emotional state

6.5.2. The voice as a sign of power(lessness)

6.5.3. The interrelation between voice and personality

6.5.4. The importance of the voice for the blind Mr. Rochester

6.6. Tokens of affection

Research Objectives and Topics

This thesis examines how 19th-century British novelists used the female body as a narrative tool to circumvent social constraints regarding the explicit depiction of female passion. By focusing on the works of Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, and Henry James, it explores how authors utilized bodily attributes—such as appearance, illness, complexions, movements, and gestures—to communicate a character’s inner life, emotional state, and moral standing, thereby navigating the strict codes of Victorian propriety.

• The role of the female body as a surrogate for forbidden expressions of desire and emotion.
• Illness as a narrative mechanism for character development, plot progression, and moral judgment.
• The "language" of the complexion: interpreting blushes and paleness within social contexts.
• Physical movement and gestures as indicators of character, status, and power relations.
• The symbolic function of bodily tokens, such as locks of hair, in romantic narratives.

Extract from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Social, cultural and political background: This chapter contextualizes 19th-century British literature by examining the social codes, the domestic confinement of women, and the specific Victorian understanding of health and illness.

Looks in the 19th century novel: This section explores how beauty standards were constructed by the authors and how physical appearance was used to mirror character traits and moral integrity.

The body in illness: This chapter analyzes how physical and mental health were used as literary devices to manipulate plot outcomes, signal character growth, and enforce moral codes.

Revealing complexions: The author investigates the role of blushing and blanching as non-verbal communication, serving as markers of romantic affection, shame, guilt, or excitement.

The body in motion: This part interprets physical movement and the "demonstration" of the body in social settings as significant indicators of social awareness, freedom, and inner restlessness.

Proofs of sentiment: The final chapter examines voluntary gestures like caresses, tears, smiles, and the use of the voice to convey emotions, highlighting how authors circumvented social taboos to depict intimacy.

Keywords

19th century British novel, female body, Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, Henry James, narrative construction, illness, blush, complexion, social propriety, marriage plot, gesture, emotion, power relations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fundamental focus of this thesis?

The thesis explores how 19th-century British novelists utilized the female body as a narrative instrument to express emotions and character traits that could not be stated explicitly due to the strict social and moral codes of the time.

What are the primary thematic fields addressed?

Key themes include the social background of the era, the representation of beauty and illness, the communicative power of facial expressions, the significance of body movements, and the use of physical tokens to express sentiment.

What is the primary objective or research question?

The primary objective is to demonstrate that 19th-century authors did not neglect the body but instead developed sophisticated narrative techniques to use physical attributes—like blushing or illness—as subtexts for the characters' internal emotional lives.

Which scientific methods were applied?

The work employs a literary and cultural studies approach, analyzing primary novels by Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, and Henry James, supported by historical context and contemporary secondary literature regarding the representation of the body in literature.

What is covered in the main body?

The main body is structured into thematic chapters analyzing the narrative functions of the body: from the social implications of looks and beauty, through illness as a plot device and punishment, to the "language" of complexions and physical motion in courtship.

Which keywords characterize this work?

Core keywords include "narrative construction," "female body," "19th-century British novel," "social propriety," "illness," and the "blush" as an index of emotion.

How does the author characterize the role of illness in these novels?

Illness is described not just as a medical condition, but as a "messenger" or "coping device" used by novelists to signal character transitions, create romantic opportunities, or reflect the moral judgments the authors applied to their characters.

What role does the blush play in the interpretation of the novels?

The blush functions as a "hidden truth" that betrays a character’s internal thoughts or feelings. It serves as a visual indicator of a character's awareness of social codes and their internal struggles between their desires and societal expectations.