Man and Wife
What is Man and Wife about?
Man and Wife (1870) attacks the unjust marriage laws of Victorian Britain through the story of a woman trapped by a secret marriage she never intended. Collins exposes how Scottish and Irish marriage laws could enslave women, while a subplot critiques Victorian England’s obsession with athletic masculinity.
Main themes in Man and Wife
Marriage law
The presence of marriage law in Man and Wife connects readers to its enduring relevance.
Women's rights
Women's rights emerges as a defining element in Man and Wife, shaping character development.
Social reform
Social reform emerges as a defining element in Man and Wife, shaping character development.
Victorian athletics
Victorian athletics emerges as a defining element in Man and Wife, shaping character development.
Why Man and Wife is still relevant today
A passionate social-problem novel that contributed to actual legal reform of British marriage laws.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Man and Wife about?
A woman is trapped by unjust marriage laws — Collins's passionate attack on Victorian legal injustice that helped change real laws.
Where can I read it?
Free on TextStack.