The Lewes Public Library Spoken Word Society presents a Victorian reading accompanied by a lecture about related artistic works and their place in the Victorian canon. Kristen Matulewicz, Curator of Rockwood Park and Museum, will lecture about the piece, followed by members of the Reader's Theatre Troupe of the LSWS present the reading.

The Victorian world was one of gendered spaces and structured roles within it. Few records highlight this as much as the numerous images and writings idolizing frail and fallen women. In contrast to the romanticized image crafted by and for the male gaze, the American author, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, creates a Gothic Horror story inspired by her own forced experience with the highly popular Victorian cult of the invalid. Contrasting the Gilman’s embellished lived experience in The Yellow Wallpaper with the highly-popular romanticized image of feminine frailty and madness this lecture will glimpse into the realities of Victorian women’s healthcare and the rigid social sphere to which they were prescribed.    

Each individual attending must register.

The Lewes Spoken Word Society (LSWS) celebrates the tradition and artistry of oral storytelling through lectures, performances, discussions, demonstrations, and other publicly-shared experiences. The LSWS is partially funded by the generous support of the Browseabout Books, Cape Henlopen Lodge #2540, John and Sally Freeman Foundation, GFWC Zwaanendael Women’s Club, Sussex County Department of Libraries, M & T Charitable Foundation, Sussex County Council, Rotary Club of Lewes-Rehoboth Beach, and the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com.