The Story of a Modern Woman by Ella Hepworth Dixon is a story about a woman, written by woman for both men and women. Why is it a must-read for every admirer of the Victorian period of the English literature? First of all, this story possesses that unique and mysterious atmosphere of London, the big city, which becomes a true home for women and men, who try to achieve success. Secondly, the novel depicts the appearance of the feminist movement.
It should be mentioned that Ella Hepworth Dixon and the protagonist of The story of a modern woman, Mary Erle, have a lot in common. This novel is fully based on Dixon’s experience and this little, but extremely important detail makes the novel even more interesting, for we, readers, can feel with Ella and Mary. Mary has been brought up in accordance with an idea of the Victorian society about the role of a young lady. She learns French, etiquette and some information about art. Luckily for her, Mary’s father is a prominent scientist, whose library contains enough book to content her. She reads a lot and soon enough she can impress her father with clever thoughts. In spite of her natural brightness, she doesn’t attend school. This privilege is only for her brother. That is why Mary is absolutely unprepared for the struggles of a real life, which await her. Her father’s death means a lot of things. It is not only a loss of a dear person but a loss of financial support. The only one way to improve her life is to find a husband, whose financial status would allow her to avoid the necessity to work. Mary doesn’t even consider this option, for she is determined to achieve success on her own. Not to mention that she is supposed to help her brother, who is still a schoolboy.
As it turns out to be later, it is not an easy task to be a woman in the Victorian society. Mary comes to the conclusion that the society lays a lot on her sex. The problem is that “all things must be endured with a polite smile”. No matter how bad your situation is, don’t show it and continue to smile.
However, this novel is not only about struggle. The story is a certain kind of an ode to a modern woman. Who is she? First of all, she respects herself, she values her dignity more than anything else. That is why Mary refuses to become a lover of Vincent Hemming, the man she used to love. What is more important, she respects his wife and daughter to such an extent that she can’t bear a thought of her being a reason of their unhappiness. Although, the story doesn’t any happy or unhappy end, something tells readers that Mary is going to be a decent person. Ella Hepworth Dixon gave up a career of a writer in order to dedicate herself to the feminist movement and there is a fat chance that Mary is going to do the same.
