You know, if my extensive education in feminism and gender issues has taught me anything, it’s that women of all walks of life have one thing in common: fainting at the slightest provocation. Amirite, ladies?
Of course, it’s not unheard of for a gentleman to indulge in a swoon, too – and who’s to judge? As long as he doesn’t make a habit of it, of course.
Shock and awe in Brussels, from Charles O’Malley, the Irish Dragoon , 1879.
The illustrator of Ethelinde, or, the Fatal Vow (1848) seems to have specialised in penny dreadfuls. This lady’s just lucky she didn’t have to see the horrifying clown emerging from a coffin .
A senseless lady, from Guy Rayner’s My Lady’s Novelettes (1871)
Guy Rayner also features a senseless man! Or… maybe he’s just dead.
Ugh, it’s going to be a pain to get her back over these rocks now that she’s out cold. (Jack Hinton , 1892)
But wouldn’t it be more exciting if you waited until the train was about to run her over before you rescued her? (Illustrated Penny Tales , 1894)
This southern lady, as depicted in the no doubt very impartial and unbiased La Vie Americaine (1892), appears to be suffering from the vapours.
I can’t help but think that corsetry might have something to do with all this fainting. (Moreton; or the Doomed House , 1847)
I can’t go any further… You go on ahead. And carry me with you! (Tales of the Castle Guard , 1881)
And to finish: a ponderous swoon from Mark Twain’s A Tramp Abroad , 1880.
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