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The Caroline Skeel Archives Reading Room

Female sexuality was not discussed nor understood in Victorian times, in contrast with the stigmatism and criminality ascribed to male homosexuality. Looking back upon her actions Constance Maynard uses the newly developed language of psychoanalysis in her autobiography to examine her behaviour:

‘And yet, yet, - I loathe to write it down, - the whole was spoilt and devastated by love, by what psychoanalysts call by highly disagreeable names, such as a “thwarted sex-instinct”. There was something within me which seemed to have a foremost & impervious claim, a hunger which must be satisfied, whatever food was on offer.’

The text continues with Constance writing candidly about her struggle with depression.

Gallery: Constance Maynard

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