Subverting the Victorian Norm: Gender, Class, and Masquerade in Robert Thier’s Storm and Silence

Abstract

Robert Thier’s Storm and Silence (2016) serves as more than a historical romance; it is a neo-Victorian critique of the rigid socio-political fabric of 19th-century London. While the genre of historical fiction is often viewed merely as entertainment, Thier utilizes it to dissect the evolution of societal progress, specifically regarding class disparities and gender politics. This paper analyzes the novel through the lens of radical feminism and Marxist class theory, exploring how the protagonist, Lilly Linton, challenges the "subaltern" status of women through cross-dressing and economic independence. By examining the institutions of marriage, patriarchy, and capitalism, this article highlights the modes of oppression—both conventional and unconventional—that defined the Victorian era and their lingering resonance in contemporary society.