The Feathered Gaze : Birds, Female Identity, and Entrapment in Victorian Literature

Dahlstrom, Bethany and Carruthers, Jo (2025) The Feathered Gaze : Birds, Female Identity, and Entrapment in Victorian Literature. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

This thesis explores the multifaceted relationship between women and birds in the Victorian period, examining how this connection influences modern understandings of Victorian society and gender dynamics. Drawing on ideas that compassion towards animals was a hallmark of civilised behaviour, the thesis delves into themes of possession, commodification, and domination. These themes are evident in literature and real-life practices, from George Eliot’s depiction of female entrapment to the devastating feather fashion industry that threatened bird species with extinction. Through an analysis of literary works, such as bird-keeping manuals and other literature, as well as contemporary Victorian societal practices, this study examines how women were symbolically linked to birds, both in their nurturing roles and as subjects of entrapment. Key literary figures such as Aurora Leigh and Jane Eyre are discussed to illustrate women's struggle for autonomy, paralleling the freedom symbolised by birds. Aurora’s poetic ascent and Jane’s journey to self-sufficiency illustrate women breaking free from societal cages, akin to birds taking flight. The thesis also delves into the feather fashion industry, revealing how women were blamed for the decline in bird populations, despite following trends set by men. This paradox is further examined through satirical depictions in periodicals, such as Punch magazine, and the efforts of conservation movements that were spearheaded by women during the period. Ultimately, the research concludes that the kinship between women and birds extends beyond metaphor, influencing both literature and real-life advocacy for bird protection. This study offers a nuanced understanding of gender dynamics and societal values in the Victorian era, contributing to broader discussions on environmental conservation and women's roles in society.