Mrs. Maxon Protests by Anthony Hope is a social satire set in Victorian society, exploring the complexities of marriage and relationships through a blend of humor and drama. The novel centers on Mrs. Maxon, whose personal conflict and protest against societal norms reflect broader themes of gender roles and social reform. As she navigates the constraints of domestic life, the book delves into moral dilemmas and the intricacies of Victorian-era gender expectations. Hope’s witty portrayal of social norms and individualism highlights the clash between personal desires and societal pressures. Through its engaging characters and insightful social commentary, the novel examines how individuals grapple with their roles within a rigid social framework. The story combines romance with intrigue, offering a nuanced look at the challenges of asserting one’s identity and values in a society bound by conventional expectations.
Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins, as Anthony Hope (9 February 1863 - 8 July 1933), was a British novelist and playwright. He was a prolific writer, particularly of adventure stories, yet he is best known for only two works: The Prisoner of Zenda (1894) and its sequel Rupert of Hentzau (1898). These writings, considered "minor classics" of English literature, are set in the contemporaneous fictional kingdom of Ruritania and gave rise to the Ruritanian romance genre, which includes books set in fictional European places comparable to the novels. Zenda has inspired numerous adaptations, most notably the 1937 Hollywood film of the same name and the 1952 remake. Hope attended St John's School, Leatherhead, Marlborough College, and Balliol College, Oxford. In an intellectually distinguished career at Oxford, he earned first-class honours in Classical Moderations (Literis Graecis et Latinis) in 1882 and Literae Humaniores ('Greats') in 1885. Hope studied law and became a barrister in 1887, when the Middle Temple called him to the Bar. He studied under the future Liberal Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, who saw him as a potential barrister but was disillusioned by his decision to pursue a career in writing.
