The Analysis of the Phenomenon of Anonymity Used by Modern and Early British Novelists, Especially Female Ones

The Analysis of the Phenomenon of Anonymity Used by Modern and Early British Novelists, Especially Female Ones

This paper has tried to investigate how the use of pseudonyms or publishing anonymously has been prevalent in the history of British literature. Every author had her or his own reason for attributing her or his works to a pen name. Jonathan Swift in the eighteenth century had to publish anonymously or under the pseudonyms of Gulliver or Drapier in order to escape prosecution because Swift believed that he was representing Ireland and the printed materials were politically sensitive. In the 19th century, when writing was a male-dominated profession, some female authors used male pen names. The opposite was also true. There could be found some male writers who wrote under female pen names in order to be read by women. The use of female pseudonyms may have been intended to attract female readers by suggesting that these pseudonymous authors saw the world as women did. A contemporary parallel is the practice by many men who write gothic novels and historical romances of using female pseudonyms to appeal to female readers