Woman and Labour (ePub)

Olive Schreiner (1855-1920) was a South African author, anti-war campaigner, and intellectual known for her deep engagement with both feminist and anti-imperialist ideas. Born in the small town of Wittebergen in what is now the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, she was the ninth of twelve children. Educated by her missionary parents, Schreiner developed a voracious intellectual appetite that informed her later work. Schreiner is best known for 'The Story of an African Farm' (1883), a novel that broke with conventional Victorian narratives and is often heralded as one of the first feminist works in English literature. However, her later text 'Woman and Labour' (1911) remains a seminal work in the early history of feminist thought, with its incisive critique of the limitations placed on women in both personal and public spheres. Her literary style combines a realistic approach to character development with a symbolic and allegorical dimension that aims to unveil underlying societal critiques. Schreiner's prose is characterized by a blunt examination of gender roles, reflecting her deep dedication to social reform. Her influential works transcend national borders and continue to resonate with contemporary readers interested in gender studies, colonial history, and social justice.