The Superwoman
Theories of Gender and Genius in Edwardian Britain
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8957971 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lucy Delap (0000-0001-5981-252X, The King's College, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2004 |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 101-126 |
| Publication date | 2004-03-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The Historical Journal (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0018-246X • E-ISSN: 1469-5103 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0018246x03003534 |
| OpenAlex | W2166485642 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 6 |
| References cited | 3 |
This article examines the development of the idea of the ‘superwoman’ among British Edwardian feminists and contextualizes it within the aristocratic political thought of the day. I examine the idea of the ‘genius’ and the ‘superman’ in order to shed light on why, for some Edwardian feminists, the ideal feminist agent was to be an elite, discerning, remote figure. I argue that Edwardian feminism witnessed an ‘introspective turn’, marked by an interest in character, will, and personality as the key components of emancipation. The focus of political change was firmly located within women themselves. This belief was widespread, even though only a minority chose the language of the ‘superwoman’ to elaborate it. References to the ‘superwoman’ indicates the impact of Nietzschean and egoist ideas upon the women's movement. The ‘superwoman’ was used to position feminism as a movement not just for political rights but for wider social regeneration, and represents a characteristically Edwardian belief in the power of the ‘exceptional individual’ to promote social change
Aesthetics · Art · Elite · Emancipation · Epistemology · Feminism · Genius · Ideal (ethics · Introspection · Literature · Political science · Politics · Power (physics · Sociology · Gender Studies · Historical Gender and Feminism Studies · Historical Studies on Reproduction, Gender, Health, and Societal Changes · Law · Modernist Literature and Criticism · Philosophy
| Unique citing works | 6 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,4 |
| Citation span | 2011 - 2021 (11) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 6 |