Poor Miss Finch

Historical Context and Significance

Wilkie Collins's novel «Poor Miss Finch», published in 1872, is a significant work of Victorian literature. Collins, known for his detective and sensational novels, explores themes of disability, identity, and social prejudices in this book. The main character, Lucilla Finch, a blind girl, faces challenges in perceiving the world and love. Collins uses her story to challenge stereotypes about people with disabilities and to show their inner strength and capacity for happiness. The novel also touches on issues of duality and moral choice, making it an important contribution to the development of the psychological novel. The book's influence on culture lies in its progressive views on disability and gender roles, which were unusual for literature of that time. As in his other works, Collins continues to explore social issues through an engaging plot and deep characters.