Victorian Illustration: A Tragic Heroine

Here we have a young woman who is definitely having a very bad time of it! She looks persecuted, even downtrodden. Perhaps she might be one of those tragic heroines of yesteryear without whom most stories of the Victorian literary scene would not be complete. I am hesitant to reveal the name of the novel she came out of, even though some of you who've studied English Lit may have already begun to figure it out. Why? Well, because an illustration lends itself better to our thoughts and feelings when it has ceased to be identifiable.
She might be a comic or melodramatic figure, with her one arm out from her side upon the grass. This can become almost anyone's nightmare or daydream.
So, let's not tell anyone, even if we are aware of who this character is, shall we?
We'll simply keep that information on the Q.T. ;)
Meanwhile, let's give it the meaning each one of us may have to share. We are all about freedom in our art-making here at PPS. I'm sure you are too.
Happy Creativity!
Rose

Tragic Victorian Heroine

Original Look

Downloadable Version HERE

Updated Black & White

Downloadable Version HERE

Scanned Imagery courtesy PPS Archives

Free for Public Domain Use