Representation of Victorian Women in Gaskell's Sylvia's Lovers

Abstract

This research explores a female‟s search for identity in Elizabeth Gaskell's Sylvia's Lovers. The protagonist of the novel, Sylvia, has a strong desire to be successful woman and to get freedom from societal values and norm which directly affects to the women only. The research excels the issues of female of Victorian society where female's responsibilities were only domestic working. The novel is the representative of the patriarchy and patriarchal society creates the utmost obstacle for the female. Sylvia is fed up and tied with society which does not let her make self-decision and create own identity. Sylvia represents the ideology of female and tries to redraw the boundary of patriarchy which existed in patriarchal society. On the basis of Feminist theory this present thesis proves the women issues of Victorian society.