Reclaiming myths of power
Book Description
In "Reclaiming Myths of Power," Ruth Y. Jenkins unveils a fascinating exploration of how four remarkable Victorian women transformed their spiritual struggles into revolutionary acts of literary creation. This compelling study examines Florence Nightingale, Charlotte Brontë, Elizabeth Gaskell, and George Eliot as they navigated profound questions of faith during an era of religious upheaval.
Jenkins reveals how these pioneering authors faced a double challenge: wrestling with the spiritual uncertainties of their time while confronting the limited roles society prescribed for women. Rather than accepting defeat, they discovered ingenious ways to harness the very religious symbols and narratives that had been used to constrain them, transforming these elements into powerful tools for reimagining women's place in the world.
Through careful analysis of both the personal spiritual journeys and literary works of these writers, Jenkins demonstrates how their inner conflicts became catalysts for groundbreaking narrative techniques. Each woman developed unique strategies for weaving spiritual questioning into stories that challenged conventional expectations about women's capabilities and destinies.
This scholarly yet accessible work offers fresh insights into how spiritual crisis can become a source of creative power and social transformation. For readers interested in the intersection of spirituality, literature, and women's empowerment, Jenkins provides a thought-provoking examination of how personal faith struggles can inspire broader cultural change.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 200 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore History and criticism
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Power (Social sciences) in literature
- ✓ Explore English fiction, history and criticism, 19th century
- ✓ Explore Women authors
- ✓ Explore English fiction, women authors
- ✓ Explore Fiction, religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Christianity
