Illuminating Patriarchal Dynamics and Class Conflict in Robert Browning's: “My Last Duchess”

Abstract

This study analyzes Robert Browning's poem “My Last Duchess”. It applies dual theoretical approaches of Marxism and Feminism, examining the intersections of class, gender, power, and societal structures in the Victorian social and cultural framework. The main objective is to interrogate how Browning’s depiction of the Duke’s oppressive dominance over the Duchess examines and critiques the patriarchal and class-based ideologies dominant in the era. This study tackles the core question: in what ways does My Last Duchess illustrate the commodification of women and the systemic oppression embedded in Victorian societal hierarchies? The contribution of this research lies in its investigation of a number of variables combined, which are depicted in Browning’s nuanced criticism of class dominance and patriarchal society, shedding light on historical portrayals of gender and power relations within his literary works. By applying detailed textual analysis methodology and contextual examination, the study investigates how the Duke’s narrative represents the subjection of women to objects of masculine dominance and the broader implications of such depictions reinforcing social inequalities. By analyzing the poem in the context of feminist Marxist theories, the research portrays contemporary literary scholarship by revealing the persistent relevance of Browning’s account in ongoing discussions surrounding gender, class, and power in both historical and contemporary contexts.