This paper is about the symbolism of the enclosed garden in Pre-Raphaelite works.
When the Pre-Raphaelites first appeared in 1849, their shared concern was the opposition against the Royal Academy of Arts and their promotion of idealized subjects and conventional forms of beauty based on Renaissance artists such as Raphael and Michelangelo.
They aimed to depict nature accurately, which not only meant a break with the aesthetic conventions of their time, but also an unflinching visual scrutiny of social realities. Many of their paintings explored social topics in Victorian Britain, such as the social class system, poverty, working conditions, emigration, and women's role in society.
The latter, in particular, was an essential theme in the works of the Pre-Raphaelites. While women were seen as second-class citizens in Victorian society, physically and intellectually subordinate to men, the Pre-Raphaelites put women and their experiences and struggles in the centre of their work. By using very often a medieval setting, the artists were able to highlight social issues such as adultery and prostitution, in which women mainly were disadvantaged, and underpin the notion that the present era was morally in decline.
Pre-Raphaelite artists like William Holman Hunt and Christina Rossetti use this balance between the archaic and the modern to further draw attention to the situation of women in Victorian society in general.
This paper examines how, alluding to the Garden of Eden, Pre-Raphaelite artists used the enclosed garden as a setting to criticize Victorian gender ideology and to create new representations of women.
Using selected works of William Holman Hunt and Christina Rossetti, I deconstruct the concept of the "fallen woman" as a threat to society, while John Everett Millais' painting "Autumn Leaves" sheds light on the restrictive role of Victorian women in general.
To conclude, the author shows how Christina Rossetti's poem "Shut out" help to shape new identities for Victorian women that go beyond the passive role of a victim in a patriarchal society.
First, however, the following section shows how the Garden of Eden not only had a strong influence on the Pre-Raphaelites but also on the role of women and men in Victorian society.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Garden of Eden as the basis for Victorian Gender Ideology
- 3. "The Fallen Woman"
- 3.1. "The Awakening Conscience"
- 3.2. "An Apple Gathering"
- 4. Restricted Gender Roles
- 4.1. "Autumn Leaves"
- 5. The "Rising" Woman: New Representations of Women
- 5.1. "Shut Out"
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines how Pre-Raphaelite artists used the enclosed garden, alluding to the Garden of Eden, to critique Victorian gender ideology and portray new representations of women. It analyzes selected works by William Holman Hunt and Christina Rossetti to deconstruct the concept of the "fallen woman" and explore the restrictive roles imposed on Victorian women. The paper also investigates how new female identities, moving beyond the passive victim role, emerged in the art of the period.
- The use of the enclosed garden as a symbol in Pre-Raphaelite art.
- The portrayal of the "fallen woman" and societal double standards.
- The restrictive gender roles imposed on women in Victorian society.
- The emergence of new representations of women challenging patriarchal norms.
- The relationship between art, social commentary, and Victorian gender ideology.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context for the paper, focusing on the Pre-Raphaelites' opposition to the Royal Academy and their commitment to depicting social realities, particularly the situation of women in Victorian society. It highlights the artists' use of medieval settings to address social issues such as adultery and prostitution, emphasizing the imbalance of power and the moral decline perceived in Victorian England. The chapter lays the groundwork for the analysis of how the enclosed garden, referencing the Garden of Eden, served as a powerful symbol in challenging Victorian gender norms and proposing new representations of women. The paper's methodology and scope are also outlined, previewing the chosen works by Holman Hunt and Christina Rossetti and their significance in shaping the narrative.
2. Garden of Eden as the basis for Victorian Gender Ideology: This chapter explores the profound influence of the Garden of Eden narrative on the shaping of Victorian gender roles. It examines the biblical story of Adam and Eve, highlighting the persistent interpretation of Eve as the instigator of humanity's fall from grace, an idea that significantly impacted 19th-century perceptions of women. The chapter details how this narrative contributed to the widespread view of women as irrational, manipulative, and responsible for men's immoral behavior, leading to their subjugation and confinement to the domestic sphere. The chapter contrasts the "Angel of the House" ideal with the concept of the "fallen woman," highlighting the stark binary opposition that characterized Victorian society's views on femininity and the severe consequences of deviating from societal expectations. The chapter establishes a crucial link between religious narratives and the social structures that defined women's roles in Victorian society.
3. "The Fallen Woman": This chapter delves into the representation of the "fallen woman" in selected Pre-Raphaelite works. It analyzes the complexities of this portrayal, moving beyond the simplistic labeling of women who transgressed Victorian moral codes. The chapter sets the stage for a detailed exploration of individual paintings that challenge these simplistic labels.
4. Restricted Gender Roles: This section focuses on the constraints placed upon women within Victorian society, examining how these restrictions manifest in artistic representations. A deeper analysis of how Victorian society's restrictive gender roles directly impacted women's lives and the ways in which these restrictions were challenged or subtly resisted within the artistic landscape of the time will be explored. The overarching theme will be the exploration of the limitations imposed upon women and the consequences of non-conformity.
5. The "Rising" Woman: New Representations of Women: This chapter explores emerging representations of women that challenged the traditional and restrictive norms of Victorian society. The focus is on how these new artistic portrayals reflected a shift in societal perceptions and the growing assertiveness of women in the face of patriarchal dominance. The discussion examines the evolution of artistic representations of women, showcasing the transition from passive victims to more assertive and independent figures.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Victorian gender ideology, Garden of Eden symbolism, fallen woman, restricted gender roles, female representation, William Holman Hunt, Christina Rossetti, social commentary, art history.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper examines how Pre-Raphaelite artists used the enclosed garden, alluding to the Garden of Eden, to critique Victorian gender ideology and portray new representations of women. It analyzes selected works by William Holman Hunt and Christina Rossetti to deconstruct the concept of the "fallen woman" and explore the restrictive roles imposed on Victorian women. The paper also investigates how new female identities, moving beyond the passive victim role, emerged in the art of the period.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the symbolism of the enclosed garden in Pre-Raphaelite art; the portrayal of the "fallen woman" and societal double standards; the restrictive gender roles imposed on Victorian women; the emergence of new female representations challenging patriarchal norms; and the relationship between art, social commentary, and Victorian gender ideology.
Which artists' works are analyzed in this paper?
The paper focuses on the works of William Holman Hunt and Christina Rossetti.
What is the significance of the Garden of Eden in this context?
The Garden of Eden serves as a powerful symbol, reflecting Victorian gender ideology. The interpretation of Eve as the instigator of humanity's fall from grace significantly impacted 19th-century perceptions of women, contributing to their subjugation and confinement to the domestic sphere. The paper explores how this narrative shaped societal views on femininity and the consequences of deviating from societal expectations.
How does the paper define and discuss "The Fallen Woman"?
The paper analyzes the representation of the "fallen woman" in selected Pre-Raphaelite works, moving beyond simplistic labeling. It explores the complexities of this portrayal and examines individual paintings that challenge these simplistic labels.
What are the chapter summaries?
The paper includes an introduction setting the context and methodology; a chapter exploring the Garden of Eden's influence on Victorian gender ideology; a chapter dedicated to "The Fallen Woman"; a chapter focusing on restricted gender roles in Victorian society; and a final chapter exploring new representations of women challenging traditional norms.
What are the objectives of this paper?
The paper aims to analyze how Pre-Raphaelite art critiqued Victorian gender ideology, portrayed the "fallen woman," explored restrictive gender roles, and depicted the emergence of new female identities challenging patriarchal norms. It seeks to illuminate the relationship between art, social commentary, and Victorian gender ideology.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Victorian gender ideology, Garden of Eden symbolism, fallen woman, restricted gender roles, female representation, William Holman Hunt, Christina Rossetti, social commentary, art history.
What is the overall structure of the paper?
The paper is structured with an introduction, followed by chapters focusing on specific themes related to Victorian gender ideology and its representation in Pre-Raphaelite art. Each chapter offers a detailed analysis of specific artworks and their social context. The paper concludes with a summary of key findings.
- Quote paper
- Sara Hille (Author), 2020, The symbolism of the enclosed garden in Pre-Raphaelite works, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1254004
