The New Women and the Old Men

Sexual politics is far from being a recent subject of debate. In the 1880s it occupied a position of central importance in certain radical circles in London, where intellectuals such as Beatrice and Sidney Webb, H.G.Wells, George Bernard Shaw and others debated how sexual relationships should be conducted, and how the ideal socialist household should be organized. Using as the basis of her research the letters, pamphlets and diaries of members of this circle, Ruth Brandon examines the questions and conflicts which they had to face. Particularly, she focuses on the artistic women at the centre of the circle, describing how each was forced to compromise her ideals in order to fit a pattern determined by the men in her life.