This lecture will provide an insight into ‘The Lot of Women’ in the 19th Century – particularly figures such as ‘the Angel in the House’, the ‘Great Social Evil’ and the ‘Kept Woman’ and the ‘Fallen Woman’ – before investigating how Thomas Hardy engaged with such issues in his novels.
It is of course Tess of the d’Urbervilles that has the most relevance for Salisbury, with Stonehenge serving as the platform on which Tess sacrificed herself for the sins of others.
Subjects depicted in this novel remain in continual debate to the present day, including the question of rape/seduction – is Alec or Angel the true villain of the story; was Tess justified in murdering Alec, and was it right that Tess received the death penalty for her ‘crime’?
Tracy will explore Hardy’s scathing exposure of hypocritical 19th century sexual and social mores.
Pre-booking essential
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
The great bustard has a dignified slow walk but tends to run when disturbed, rather than fly.
The hen-bird on display at The Salisbury Museum was one of the last great bustards to be eaten in the town!