Lady Mary Wortley Montagu: the Trapped 'Other'

Lady Mary Wortley Montagu's letters have been widely read and recognized for their early contribution to feminist literature; however, critics have also defined her masculine persona as contradictory to her overall feminist leanings. Using Mikhail Bahktin's theories on the relationship between author and text, I examine Lady Mary's pre-court poem written around 1712-1713 and her Eclogues. I argue that analyzing the development of her masculine persona in her early poems provides insights into why she chose that masculine persona. It gives her the freedom to subtly criticize eighteenth century conventions by allowing her to become one of the "others" and establish authority, agency, and autonomy. She thereby overcomes the typical obstacles related to her gender. Her poetry represents an early guide to her evolution as a woman courtier, poet, and critic.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in English

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English

Year

2000

Author dc:creator

• Wellinghoff, Lisa

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mark Smith

• English Language and Literature

Statement dc:rights

• © Lisa Wellinghoff

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/504

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-1505