The Revolt of Man

The Revolt of Man (1882) reads like an anti-suffragette novel and the critique of the New Woman ideology which emerged in England in the 1880s. It presents a dystopian vision of a female-dominated society of the 22nd century, where women keep men in complete subordination after the historic Transfer of Power. Women gradually take over the traditional men's occupations and privileges, having become judges, doctors, lawyers, businesswomen and artists, whereas effeminate men are allowed to live and perform simple work in complete passivity, submission and obedience to the triumphant females. As girls at school, everybody had learned about the Great Transition, and the way in which the transfer of Power, which marked the last and greatest step of civilisation, had been brought about: the gradual substitution of women for men in the great offices; the spread of the new religion; the abolition of the monarchy; the introduction of pure theocracy, in which the ideal Perfect Woman took the place of a personal sovereign; the wise measures by which man's rough and rude strength was disciplined into obedience, - all these things were mere commonplaces of education. The novel comically reverses Victorian gender roles. Women prove to be more effective in the public sphere; they are stronger, more intelligent, and better educated. Traditional masculine qualities and behaviour have become unacceptable in the new society. As a result, men must change their rough nature and adjust to new gender roles. They gradually become less manly, and many adopt the submissive look of earlier Victorian women, whereas women become assertive and domineering. Modern art reflects change in new stereotypical forms of masculinity and femininity.... Sir Walter Besant (14 August 1836 - 9 June 1901) was a novelist and historian. William Henry Besant was his brother, and another brother, Frank, was the husband of Annie Besant. BiographyThe son of a merchant, he was born at Portsmouth, Hampshire and attended school at St Paul's, Southsea, Stockwell Grammar, London and King's College London. In 1855 he was admitted as a pensioner to Christ's College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1859 as 18th wrangler. After a year as Mathematical Master at Rossall School, Fleetwood, Lancashire, and a year at Leamington College, he spent six years as professor of mathematics at the Royal College, Mauritius. A decline in health compelled him to resign, and he returned to England and settled in London in 1867...