Timm And Sanborn Analysis

These articles explore the issue of human sexuality during the nineteenth century. No matter in literature, economic developments, feminist movements or women’s agency in society, they all bring attentions to the notion of sexuality. Timm and Sanborn introduce the idea of transforming family structure and gender roles through industrialization. Less earned-wage made women relying on men’s support (Timm and Sanborn 65). However, in bourgeois society, women of leisure in another way became an indication of separating middle-class and working class (Timm and Sanborn, 75). The authors then discuss the development of urbanization creating a space for gathering of homosexuals, thus sexual sins attracted scholars’ attentions. Nelson’s article reveals the stereotypes of boys during the Victorian era. The main virtue of young men at that time was actually asexual. She describes the manliness’ features and how they were related to the issue of sexuality. In early and pre-Victorian literature, the boys should have possessed “tenderness and thoughtfulness for others” (Nelson, 530). Nelson also writes about the evolution of manliness. At first, it was centered at the moral purity and Christian humility, then it developed into being mentally and physically strong (Nelson, 544). Dangerous Sexualities focuses on the female
The four issues chose by the author, where women were active agents, and where their sexuality could have revealed, is illustrative. The prostitution is a controversial argument regarding the issue of female sexuality. The author shows the vague perception of the prostitution in the society, without focusing on the strong sides of its deliberating nature. Further, the author provides the information regarding abortions. Walkowitz pays more attention to the fact how abortions turned women into active agents and entered public