Linguistic Picture of Magdalene Asylums in the Victorian Press

Abstract

The Victorian era in Britain witnessed a multitude of dramatic changes. Industrialisation spurred urbanisation, leading to radical class divisions and the pauperisation of the lower class. Prudishness and moral constraints inflicted by religion were pervasive, particularly affecting marginalised groups such as sex workers, who were condemned for their actions and directed to the so-called rehabilitation institutions like Magdalene asylums. Established by the Catholic Church, these homes purported to provide refuge for fallen women but often perpetuated abuse and mistreatment (Pickard 2011, 80). Simultaneously, the era saw a surge in mass literacy and the increasing popularity of the press, which served as a medium of expression, reflecting the beliefs and views of its readership, including opinions on Magdalene asylums. This study aims to uncover these sentiments by analysing the language used to describe the institutions, their personnel, and penitents, as seen in newspapers published between 1843 and 1868. The examination of contemporary press coverage reveals a prevailing perception of the sisterhood's philanthropic efforts as life-saving, with scant criticism directed towards their work. Conversely, women in the asylums were often portrayed as burdens, their predicament viewed not as a conscious choice but as a result of fate or unintentional error. The conducted analysis demonstrates how such descriptions could reinforce societal taboos and absolve those in authority of responsibility for perpetuating economic disparities among the most vulnerable social strata.