Mesmerized: Powers of Mind in Victorian Britain

by Alison Winter

Across Victorian Britain, apparently reasonable people twisted into bizarre postures, called out in unknown languages, and placidly bore assaults that should have caused unbearable pain all while they were mesmerized. Alison Winter's fascinating cultural history traces the history of mesmerism in Victorian society. Mesmerized is both a social history of the age and a lively exploration of the contested territory between science and pseudo-science.

"Dazzling. . . . This splendid book . . . gives us a new form of historical understanding and a model for open and imaginative reading."—James R. Kinkaid, Boston Globe

"A landmark in the history of science scholarship."—John Sutherland, The Independent

"It is difficult to imagine the documentary side of the story being better done than by Winter's well-researched and generously illustrated study. . . . She is a lively and keen observer; and her book is a pleasure to read purely for its range of material and wealth of detail. . . . Fruitful and suggestive."—Daniel Karlin, Times Literary Supplement

"An ambitious, sweeping and fascinating historical study. . . . Beautifully written, thoroughly researched, and well-illustrated."—Bernard Lightman, Washington Times

Genres: History, Nonfiction, 19th Century, Science

480 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I especially liked the points Winter makes about the emergence of a new way of representing consensus in Victorian Britain based in a physiological conception of mass reading publics. She shows how an expanding reading public started to embrace, experiment with, and argue for the legitimacy of mesmerism (among many other things), prompting widespread concern over how to properly maintain credibility and authority in matters of natural knowledge. Winter weaves these concerns into the story of professionalization of "science" throughout the 19th century. Moreover, Winter reveals the presumed links between sensation fiction or sensation-based reading practices and reflex physiology. Diverse publics could be expected to show broadly coordinated reactions due to the fact that sensational reading materials would affect all people identically on the most basic physiological levels. Managing this phenomenon took on particular importance in the context of seeking political "consensus" and expanding the franchise in Britain.

I always puzzled over how the mass could simultaneously be construed as hysterical, mechanical, and somehow feminized. Winter's account grounds and explains the emergence of this presumption historically by showing how sensation genres were thought to preclude rational reflection. I admire the way Winter managed to weave the physiology of reading with mesmerism and influence, and then in turn with mass reading publics and politics.

Winter's book is well-written to boot, offering both evidence and argument iteratively throughout the text (as opposed to front-loading the argument then making the "data" section terribly boring to read!). Highly recommended for anyone interested in Victorian Britain, history of science, history of reading, literature, and media history.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a brilliant, accessible, scholarly read that brought to life what it was like to live in a world where mesmerism was taken very seriously.

[Jim Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took some time to read because it is so packed with fascinating stories and arguments about the meaning of Mesmerism in Victorian culture. Mesmerism, which became all the rage in the 1830’s and 40’s, was not simply what we think of as hypnosis now, but some type of animal magnetism used by one person on another so that he (usually) could “take over” the body and mind of another. This included the mesmerized being able to predict the future, heal, talk to spirits, and endure procedures that normally cause pain without feeling (in fact, mesmerism was used for surgery until anesthesia was developed). This kind of power frightened and fascinated Victorians, and many fought it (Elizabeth Barrett Browning for one) fearing the loss of the self. Others embraced it as part of mankind’s progress into the future and saw many possibilities for it. But Mesmerism called into question class, sex, and the medical profession and helped expose some of the faults in mid-Victorian England. Winter is an excellent writer, clear and concise (as much as one can be about something that could not be proved to be real), and makes thoughtful connections to literature, politics, religion and the professionalism of science.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absorbing recounting of the various ways that the science (or pseudo-science?) of mesmerism intersected with Victorian society.

[Alex Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very good, interesting chapters. A bit disorganized—felt like it should've been a collection of essays

[Katie Beene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic study on mesmerism and how it acted as a catalyst for physics, psychology and many other sciences in Victorian Britain. A well researched and interesting book that will entertain any interested in the time period or topic.

[Rina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good for anyone who reads extensively into Victorian literature. It explores how mesmirism infiltrated all aspects of society. I found it especially helpful in regards to the Victorian's fear of the foreign and loss of control over their consciousness.

[Lauren Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it a bit slow (very academic). But there were interesting bits--I really liked her discussion of the rise of the conductor in music and its relationship to mesmerism. The section about politics was also worth reading.

[harrie kd]

I've read bits of this before for study but since I'm meeting with her next week I thought I should have another look :)