The Role Of Modern Feminism In Aurora Leigh

Aurora Leigh is essentially a modern feminist. From the beginning of book one, it is evident that Aurora Leigh has dreams and aspirations far beyond those of the typical woman of her time. She is a revolutionary who doesn’t agree with the strict and suffocating regimes of society. Being sent to live with her aunt in England, whom she compares to a caged bird—Aurora grows weary of her “womanly” duties. She says a woman’s work is symbolical and in a sense only exists to serve the many needs of men. Aurora finds salvation through poetry and literature. She discovers her fathers library and begins her journey as a poet. At age 20 Aurora refuses her cousin Romney’s marriage proposal. This tells a lot about Auroras character as during those times,