Redefining "Fallenness" in the Victorian Era- Podcast by Andie Hollingsworth
In order to understand the greater significance and underlying meaning of the term, “fallenness”, my podcast examines ways in which prostitution was viewed within different social structures of the Victorian era. Through this, the word “fallenness” is redefined and is applied to why Lady Audley, in Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s Lady Audley’s Secret, is portrayed as a “fallen woman”. With this new definition, my podcast also aims to show how “fallenness” is still present today and by redefining the word, women who partake in sex work are legitimized. Instead of being viewed as women who are failing, “fallen women” are, therefore, seen as individuals of liberation under the structure of patriarchy.
Listen to the podcast now!
https://youtu.be/Uvja5lecxh0
I loved listening to your podcast! As someone that also did their podcast on women during the Victorian Era, I found this episode really informative and helped with my own understanding of gender inequality! I think that the theme of "fallenness" is really interesting especially in terms of how women were treated during the Victorian Era. As you mentioned in your podcast, women were put under the most ridiculous standards because of the origins of the Adam and Eve story. It is truly amazing to see how much power this one story holds for this tale is what caused many women to be abused for so many years. The sinfulness of Eve is what forbid women from exploring their own passions and pleasures in society, and prevented them from seeking out their own desires in relationships. One question I thought of while listening to your podcast is that I wonder if there were any male prostitutes that were working during the Victorian Era? If there were male prostitutes, were they treated as horribly as the woman sex workers? I also loved how you connected your theme of Victorian women sex workers to the OnlyFans account that are being run today. As you stated, these accounts face many abuse from critics who try to discredit their work. Another question I had was why do you think attitudes towards sex workers have not changed in the recent years? Even though women are working and are economically independent, why are people still mad at women for making a living? I truly enjoyed listening to your podcast and I learned so many things!
ReplyDeleteAndie, to start I just want to say this podcast was great and super informative! The fact that the women placed in the category of fallenness still remains stigmatized further connects your topic to the modern day. Your inclusion of this double-bind that women are in in terms of their sexuality emphasizes the hypocritical and nonsensical matter of morality codes created by men. By relating prostitutes to diseases in the city it shows that people love to scapegoat a certain group in order to explain problems that were caused by all people. Moreover, Lady Audley asserts her own power which makes her be threatening to the other male characters. Just like the archetype of fallenness, Eve, Lady Audley chooses to go against what a person higher than her told her not to and takes her future in her own hands. In bringing it the modern day reclaiming of fallenness reminded me of how other fictional media of our time work to reclaim or teach others about this concept. Lady Audley’s Secret helped readers recognize that Lady Audley deserve a better outcome and that justice is not not always served especially in the case of wronged women. This reminded me of shows such as Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, as that is a fictional and fantasy representation of the police, but it is often a place where women are served justice. You can see the progression of opinions as in the 90s the sex workers were often insulted and mocked but now they are seen as legitimate workers who can be brutalized and raped just like another women of another profession. I think this relates to Lady Audley’s Secret as it shows that the some popular or sensational media outlets of our time have always been working to embrace women and attempt to teach others to do the same.
ReplyDeleteThis was a really eye opening podcast. The first thing that struck me was just the level of hypocrisy and double standards present in the Victorian Era regarding prostitution. Some of the things they believed were so ridiculous that they bordered on comical and while I wish I could say I could not believe it, given the Victorian's prudishness, I could. Also, as someone who is always fascinated to hear how language gets its origins, the bit on the term "hooker" itself was fascinating. I would have never assumed it originated from a term for a thief. The segment on Lady Audley also really sheds light on how the oppression of these sex workers was really about keeping women down in society, given that a woman who simply did not want to conform to society's standards was given the same treatment. Finally, the implications on modern sex work and things like OnlyFans brought the topic into the modern age and really pointed out how prevalent this mindset still is today. It really served to drive home your point that to be fallen is actually to gain power. Really great podcast.
ReplyDeleteI thought this podcast was really engaging and fun to listen to. I thought the use of questions was beneficial in both stimulating the listener’s minds, but also providing structure to the podcast. The topic was incredibly interesting and the information that was presented was fascinating because it offered so many new ways to look at Victorian society. For example, the nuggets of information about how women were considered morally superior to men because they could control their sexual desires, how women weren’t believed to have pleasure during sex, and how prositutes were seen as a form of pollution were all ideas that I’ve only heard uniquely in the podcast. I also think tying the topic into modern implications by mentioning Onlyfans made an already cohesive podcast even more well rounded. While I was listening I was wondering if there was going to be a tie in to modern implications, and you answered my question in a really captivating way. The podcast was well paced and very easy to listen to combined with a creative and fascinating topic, so I was definitely a big fan.
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