The Evolution of the Heroine in Victorian Literature

Abstract

This paper examines the changing portrayal of female characters in Victorian literature, specifically focusing on the evolution of the heroine archetype. It explores how authors like Charlotte Brontë, George Eliot, and Thomas Hardy challenged traditional gender roles and presented complex, multifaceted female protagonists. The analysis will delve into the ways in which these heroines defied societal expectations, pursued their own desires, and contributed to the development of feminist thought.