Raw Material: Producing Pathology in Victorian Culture

Unraveling Victorian Perspectives on Disease and the Material World

Erin O’Connor’s groundbreaking work, “Raw Material,” delves into the intricate tapestry of Victorian society, revealing how the haunting presence of disease served as a potent lens through which deep-seated anxieties about the rapidly industrializing world were expressed. Drawing upon a diverse array of disciplines, including medicine, literature, economics, sociology, anthropology, and popular culture, O’Connor unveils the “industrial logic of disease,” a dynamic that intertwined pathology and production within the collective Victorian consciousness.

Through a meticulous examination of four particularly troubling physical ailments, O’Connor reveals the complex representations that permeated Victorian literature. The menacing specter of Asiatic cholera, which ravaged the population during four distinct epidemics between 1832 and 1865, was perceived as a sinister embodiment of cultural contamination and disintegration. Conversely, breast cancer, believed to stem from the female body’s inherent vulnerability to urban life, became a subject of intense scrutiny. O’Connor also explores the profound impact of amputation, a consequence of warfare and industrial accidents, and how prosthetic advancements enabled dismembered individuals to reclaim their identity as productive members of society.

In a daring departure from conventional Victorian narratives, the final chapter of “Raw Material” ventures into the realm of freak shows, where grotesque deformities were showcased as symbols of a distorted yet distinctive individuality. This portrayal of the Victorian body as both a stabilizing structure and a chaotic entity underscores the authors’ contention that disease was a multifaceted tool for articulating the uncertainties that plagued this transformative era.

Over the course of the Victorian century, O’Connor demonstrates how the disfiguring ravages of disease became a poignant symbol of inner transformation. While afflictions such as cholera, cancer, limb loss, and deformities inflicted profound physical and psychological trauma, their dramatic manifestations also presented opportunities for imaginative adaptation in a world where the very essence of humanity and existence grew increasingly elusive.

“Raw Material” captivates a diverse readership, including students and scholars of Victorian literature, cultural history, and the history of medicine. Its insightful exploration of the interplay between disease, social anxieties, and the material world illuminates a pivotal chapter in Victorian history, providing a nuanced understanding of the era’s profound cultural shifts and the enduring legacy of its medical complexities.