Ordinary Masochisms: Agency and Desire in Victorian and Modernist Fiction
Ordinary Masochisms by Jennifer Mitchell examines how Victorian and modernist fiction complicates the idea of masochism as deviance. The book discusses literary portrayals of desire, gender, pain, and agency, including works by Charlotte Brontë, D. H. Lawrence, Jean Rhys, and others.
At a glance
- Studies literary depictions of masochism as a complex source of agency and self-definition rather than simply victimization.
- Covers Victorian and modernist writing, with readings including Villette, The Rainbow, Quartet, and The Comfort of Strangers.
- Connects representations of desire and pain with shifting views of sex, gender, passivity, and femininity.
Reference price: $85.00
Price checked: Nov 14, 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionPros and cons
Pros
- The subject is explored across multiple periods and literary works, giving readers a comparative critical framework.
- The listed discussion reaches beyond canonical novels to religious zeal, courtship, marriage, affairs, and queer desire.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | University Press of Florida |
|---|---|
| Publication date | October 27, 2020 |
| Edition | 1st |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 226 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0813066670 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0813066677 |
| Weight listed | 15.2 ounces |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6 x 0.81 x 9 inches |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers and students of Victorian and modernist literature, gender studies, and literary criticism.
- Readers interested in literary treatments of masochism, sexuality, desire, and agency.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a general introduction to Victorian fiction rather than focused literary criticism.
- Readers looking for fiction rather than academic analysis.
Frequently asked questions
What does Ordinary Masochisms examine?
It examines how nineteenth- and twentieth-century literary works portray masochism, desire, pain, gender, and agency.
Which authors and works are discussed?
The listing names works by Charlotte Brontë, George Moore, D. H. Lawrence, Jean Rhys, Octave Mirbeau, Ian McEwan, and Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, among others.
Is this a novel?
No. The listing presents it as literary criticism focused on interpretations of fiction and related themes.
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