Homosexual: A difference in perspective between French and English societies in the 19th Century from the famous cases of Arthur Rimbaud, Paul Verlaine and Oscar Wilde
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Abstract
This article aims to compare homosexual perspectives of 19th Century French and English societies through social and historical context analysis. Specifically, it looks at the publicized scandals of three famous people: Arthur Rimbaud, Paul Verlaine and Oscar Wilde, who were all renowned authors exposed as being homosexual at the time. The results indicate that homophobia was more prevalent in English society than French society. Consequently, homosexual authors could feel less of a threat of persecution in France. Ultimately, homosexuals were treated differently depending on social and historical factors that reflected different acceptances of gender diversities.
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