The Racial Hand in the Victorian Imagination

Explore the intricate relationship between race and literature in Aviva Briefel's insightful book, Racial Hand in the Victorian Imagination. Published in 2017, this compelling work delves into the late-Victorian imperial narratives that portrayed the hands of colonized subjects as vital symbols of fascination and interpretation. With 234 pages of in-depth analysis, Briefel examines various themes such as fingerprinting, amputation, disease, manual labor, and mummification, highlighting the racial significance assigned to hands during the fin de siècle. This book is essential for anyone interested in 19th-century English fiction, history, and criticism. Discover how these powerful narratives shaped perceptions of race in literature and influenced societal views during a pivotal time in history.