Sufražistični in antisufražistični ideali skozi prizmo ženskih likov v izbranih angleških dramskih delih na prelomu 20. stoletja

This thesis examines the representation of suffragist and anti-suffragist beliefs and ideals in English drama at the turn of the 20th century, with a focus on suffrage drama as a distinct literary sub-genre. While suffrage plays have often been dismissed as mere political propaganda, this research prioritises their artistic and thematic qualities, attempting to argue for their place within the broader literary canon. It strives to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of suffrage drama, presenting it not only as a political tool but also as a significant form of literary expression that continues to resonate with current discussions on gender and social change. The theoretical introduction explains the historical context surrounding the suffrage movement and the literary movements of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras. It includes a brief discussion of prominent female character archetypes: the angel of the house, the New Woman, and the fallen woman. A sub-chapter is dedicated to suffrage drama – its origin, purpose, characteristics, and prior evaluations by experts in literature, theatre, and history. The following plays have been selected based on their thematic relevance, literary merit, and diversity of perspectives: Mrs Warren’s Profession by George Bernard Shaw, A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde, The New Woman by Sydney Grundy, Votes for Women by Elizabeth Robins, Lady Geraldine’s Speech by Beatrice Harraden, How the Vote Was Won by Cicely Hamilton and Christopher St. John, Press Cuttings by George Bernard Shaw, A Pageant of Great Women by Cicely Hamilton, Her Vote by Henry Vernon Esmond, Miss Appleyard’s Awakening by Evelyn Glover, The Suffragette’s Redemption by Inglis Allen, and An Anti-Suffragist or The Other Side by Harry Major Paull. The plays were written between 1890 and 1914. Through a combination of literary analysis and historical contextualisation, this thesis investigates how playwrights employed literary and dramatic techniques to engage with contemporary debates on gender and politics. The research is guided by key questions regarding the literary and political dimensions of the selected plays, the role of female characters in articulating suffragist or anti-suffragist ideals, and the use of language and emotion to illustrate those ideals.