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Unveiling a Parallel: A Romance
Couched as sentimental romance and utopian fantasy, Jones and Merchant's work satirises 19th-century gender roles and discrimination against women, unveiling the absurdities of socially constructed femaleness and maleness.
158 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1893
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July 5, 20163.5
Chances are you may have noticed that I tend to revel in obscurity; I do try to keep one foot in the modern world but my heart and soul are really in older, not so well known works. This one came across my radar when researching American women writers prior to the turn of the century, and after reading a synopsis that places the main action on Mars, I knew I had to have it. And it was worth both the time and money to me; other readers may not find it as entertaining but I had a lot of fun with this one.
I'm not going to go into plot here, although if you want to read a barebones synopsis you can certainly do so at my reading journal. There is a huge amount of great satire to be found here, most especially in the dialogue between the narrator and the Martian people with whom he speaks. As he asks a ton of questions about the women there, what ends up happening is that we actually get a great contrast between more enlightened ideas about Martian women and the attitudes toward women back home. This book seems to reflect more than anything Jones' and Merchant's ideas about who women are and who they could be if equality could be attained. Sadly, while the narrator in this book can begrudgingly admit to some positives in terms of how women are perceived and treated on Mars, he never fully comes around, noting that his own views are just "too thoroughly ingrained" in his nature.
I won't really say more about this novel, except that while it is fun to read, it can also become a polemical in nature, and sometimes a definite chore to get through. There are also a number of contradictions spread throughout the story. But while entertaining, it is also informative and I have to credit the authors with being so futuristic in their thinking. Writing this book in a time where literature pretty much stressed the patriarchal was also gutsy and something different. I'd say that anyone at all interested in American pre-20th century feminist writers will definitely want to pick up a copy of this novel for his/her library. For me -- while it was a bit tough to get through at times, it is a great find and a wonderful addition to my slowly-growing collection of works by lesser-known American women writers.
Chances are you may have noticed that I tend to revel in obscurity; I do try to keep one foot in the modern world but my heart and soul are really in older, not so well known works. This one came across my radar when researching American women writers prior to the turn of the century, and after reading a synopsis that places the main action on Mars, I knew I had to have it. And it was worth both the time and money to me; other readers may not find it as entertaining but I had a lot of fun with this one.
I'm not going to go into plot here, although if you want to read a barebones synopsis you can certainly do so at my reading journal. There is a huge amount of great satire to be found here, most especially in the dialogue between the narrator and the Martian people with whom he speaks. As he asks a ton of questions about the women there, what ends up happening is that we actually get a great contrast between more enlightened ideas about Martian women and the attitudes toward women back home. This book seems to reflect more than anything Jones' and Merchant's ideas about who women are and who they could be if equality could be attained. Sadly, while the narrator in this book can begrudgingly admit to some positives in terms of how women are perceived and treated on Mars, he never fully comes around, noting that his own views are just "too thoroughly ingrained" in his nature.
I won't really say more about this novel, except that while it is fun to read, it can also become a polemical in nature, and sometimes a definite chore to get through. There are also a number of contradictions spread throughout the story. But while entertaining, it is also informative and I have to credit the authors with being so futuristic in their thinking. Writing this book in a time where literature pretty much stressed the patriarchal was also gutsy and something different. I'd say that anyone at all interested in American pre-20th century feminist writers will definitely want to pick up a copy of this novel for his/her library. For me -- while it was a bit tough to get through at times, it is a great find and a wonderful addition to my slowly-growing collection of works by lesser-known American women writers.
July 9, 2017
Published in 1893, this utopian novel is about a nameless male character who rides an "aeroplane" to Mars where he interacts with two different "Marsian" societies, Paleveria and Caskia. Both societies have gender equality, but their approaches are different. In Paleveria, for example, women have the negative behaviors of men, and in Caskia, both genders are equally loving.
The societies, of course, are statements by the authors Jones and Merchant in terms of politics and class. There are some rather frank discussions of each, as well as drugs and sex. (SCANDALOUS.)
I have this fascination with utopians and dystopians, but it's a common complaint I have that dystopians are usually a better read. Utopians are, for lack of a better word, often boring, in that they are generally more preachy than story. In dystopians, a thing has happened which has led to a society becoming the way it has, and people live life now according to the rules in place in said society. Or they don't, but therein lies the story too. With utopians, however, in my reading experience, these are outside lands or planets that someone finds themselves in, and the "story" is a member of that society explaining to the newcomer why their lives in this foreign land/planet is superior than whatever the newcomer left behind. Of course it's superior, this is what makes it utopic! But it makes for a very boring read.
This isn't much of an exception. Preachy and therefore a bit of a slog.
But this doesn't make the book without merit. Did you notice when it was published? 1893! By two women! One of whom whose middle name is freaking Ilgenfritz! COME ON, I want that name. But seriously, just a couple women from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who wrote a utopian novel satirizing their own late 19th century society. I'm totally on board with that.
One of the issues I had, however, was addressed also in the introduction but not (in my opinion) very satisfactorily is that the nameless traveler to Mars is a male. I mean, is it so freaking impossible to have a female travel to Mars? Since we're talking about space travel by a regular non-NASA person and all. I found this disappointing for something that was to be a utopian feminist novel. Oh, hey, let's tell a story about how genders can be equal, but let's not get crazy and have a woman riding the aeroplane to Mars, whoa Nelly, that's gotta be a dude.
Still, I'm glad to have read this because, holy shit, who knew this even existed? I found it accidentally at the campus library while I was looking for something not at all related, and I'm so glad that I did. The cover is glaringly pink which is ridiculous, though I'm sure that's meant to be ironic and all. It helped me because it jumped out at me from the stacks.
There's a professor in the history department on campus who is some expert on utopians, dystopians, and post-apocalyptic novels. Why we're not already married, I have no idea. He frightens me a little bit because he looks like a wizard and I'm fairly certain he will cast a spell on me if I talk to him, but I am intrigued. I have to wonder if he's the real reason this book is on the shelf at the library. If so, kudos to him. The campus library doesn't have all that much super cool stuff because it's a Catholic school and god forbid anyone read anything that might be scandalous or anti-Catholicism. But once in a while, like with this one, I am pleasantly surprised that an early example of feminist literature exists on the shelves.
The societies, of course, are statements by the authors Jones and Merchant in terms of politics and class. There are some rather frank discussions of each, as well as drugs and sex. (SCANDALOUS.)
I have this fascination with utopians and dystopians, but it's a common complaint I have that dystopians are usually a better read. Utopians are, for lack of a better word, often boring, in that they are generally more preachy than story. In dystopians, a thing has happened which has led to a society becoming the way it has, and people live life now according to the rules in place in said society. Or they don't, but therein lies the story too. With utopians, however, in my reading experience, these are outside lands or planets that someone finds themselves in, and the "story" is a member of that society explaining to the newcomer why their lives in this foreign land/planet is superior than whatever the newcomer left behind. Of course it's superior, this is what makes it utopic! But it makes for a very boring read.
This isn't much of an exception. Preachy and therefore a bit of a slog.
But this doesn't make the book without merit. Did you notice when it was published? 1893! By two women! One of whom whose middle name is freaking Ilgenfritz! COME ON, I want that name. But seriously, just a couple women from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who wrote a utopian novel satirizing their own late 19th century society. I'm totally on board with that.
One of the issues I had, however, was addressed also in the introduction but not (in my opinion) very satisfactorily is that the nameless traveler to Mars is a male. I mean, is it so freaking impossible to have a female travel to Mars? Since we're talking about space travel by a regular non-NASA person and all. I found this disappointing for something that was to be a utopian feminist novel. Oh, hey, let's tell a story about how genders can be equal, but let's not get crazy and have a woman riding the aeroplane to Mars, whoa Nelly, that's gotta be a dude.
Still, I'm glad to have read this because, holy shit, who knew this even existed? I found it accidentally at the campus library while I was looking for something not at all related, and I'm so glad that I did. The cover is glaringly pink which is ridiculous, though I'm sure that's meant to be ironic and all. It helped me because it jumped out at me from the stacks.
There's a professor in the history department on campus who is some expert on utopians, dystopians, and post-apocalyptic novels. Why we're not already married, I have no idea. He frightens me a little bit because he looks like a wizard and I'm fairly certain he will cast a spell on me if I talk to him, but I am intrigued. I have to wonder if he's the real reason this book is on the shelf at the library. If so, kudos to him. The campus library doesn't have all that much super cool stuff because it's a Catholic school and god forbid anyone read anything that might be scandalous or anti-Catholicism. But once in a while, like with this one, I am pleasantly surprised that an early example of feminist literature exists on the shelves.
January 30, 2012
For a feminist utopian book written in 1893, this was actually a bit of a fun read. Even more so for me as it was written by two married women from Iowa--defying the whole idea of the Midwest as a place of perfect propriety. Not outrageously daring in it's writing style, but considering that in the Martian society described women can have total independence, take up with male prostitutes if they want to, and smoke whatever they want (all to the outrage of the male narrator), I thought it was definitely entertaining.
October 24, 2022
Overshadowed by Charlotte Gilman Perkins' "Herland" (1915), many feminist works of science fiction were written in the late 19th and early 20th century, and the genre has roots that go back all the way to the 17th century. One of the most radical of these stories was "Unveiling a Parallel", written over 20 years earlier than "Herland" and venturing into realms of sexuality and liberation that Perkins deliberately stayed clear of, presenting a much more class conscious version of a utopian society.
First published anonymously as by "Two Women of the West", the novel has a male protagonist who is taken to Mars in an "aeroplane", where he is confronted by a Martian society that is almost identical to late 19th Century America, with the exception that gender roles are reversed. The narrator falls in love with one of the most prominent women in Martian society, but is appalled at her promiscuous life: she drinks, takes drugs, visits male prostitutes and even has an illegitimate child. On the other hand, the protagonist's own ideas of women's "nature" and supposed mental inferiority is also challenged, and he finds himself fascinated by the strong and assertive women of Mars. However, society as a whole is not necessarily better than in America at the time, with wide class divides, rampant Capitalism, poor working conditions and poverty. The only difference being that here it is women and not men that are responsible. Thus the authors "unveil a parallel" to Earth.
In the final chapter of the book, however, the narrator visits another Martian city,which works more on egalitarian principles, and where the gender roles are less divided. It is a more conservative society as far as morals are concerned, but they are conservative for both sexes.
The novel is quite short, which works to its advantage, as it is a somewhat dry read, consisting mostly of long conversations between different characters on morals and society. Interesting for its radical ideas, which are perhaps not carried out as such in the end.
First published anonymously as by "Two Women of the West", the novel has a male protagonist who is taken to Mars in an "aeroplane", where he is confronted by a Martian society that is almost identical to late 19th Century America, with the exception that gender roles are reversed. The narrator falls in love with one of the most prominent women in Martian society, but is appalled at her promiscuous life: she drinks, takes drugs, visits male prostitutes and even has an illegitimate child. On the other hand, the protagonist's own ideas of women's "nature" and supposed mental inferiority is also challenged, and he finds himself fascinated by the strong and assertive women of Mars. However, society as a whole is not necessarily better than in America at the time, with wide class divides, rampant Capitalism, poor working conditions and poverty. The only difference being that here it is women and not men that are responsible. Thus the authors "unveil a parallel" to Earth.
In the final chapter of the book, however, the narrator visits another Martian city,which works more on egalitarian principles, and where the gender roles are less divided. It is a more conservative society as far as morals are concerned, but they are conservative for both sexes.
The novel is quite short, which works to its advantage, as it is a somewhat dry read, consisting mostly of long conversations between different characters on morals and society. Interesting for its radical ideas, which are perhaps not carried out as such in the end.
July 18, 2025
Unveilling A Parallel is billed as a romance. Some might say it is science fiction, as it is set on the planet Mars. Some would call it feminist literature, if the term “feminist” existed in 1893. I describe Unveiling A Parallel as social commentary-science fiction, that just happens to be set on another planet.
Remember as you continue that Unveiling a Parallel was published in 1893. The society in which the protagonist finds himself is still a stratified society, in which there are rich and poor, servants and masters, characteristic of the era in which the story was written.
The reader is not told at any point in the story the protagonist’s name, or how he, comes to be on Mars. The story begins with his arrival on the red planet. It goes on to recount his experiences with the “Marsians” whilst amongst the marsian people.
The Marsian people are humans, who have evolved entirely independently of the humans of our planet Earth. The differences between the peoples are in the intellects and social orders, not in any physical aspect that defined what a human being is.
The traveller’s male pre-conceptions of how a society should function, based on his patriarchal background in a male dominated society, are challenged from soon after his arrival on Mars, as he begins to get to know its people. He finds a egalitarian, equal society where the female of the species is the equal of the male socially and morally, without needing legislation to achieve it.
It is also interesting to see the protagonist’s observations on religion, specifically Christianity, as he begins to come to terms with the “Marsian” society in which he finds himself.
Unveiling A Parallel is not SciFi in the form that readers of such as Asimov, E E Doc Smith or Larry Niven would probably appreciate. It is, to a greater extent, commentary on the differences between societies, that have evolved in different places, under different conditions and traditions.
“You worship the man – the God, if you
will, – instead of that for which he stood.”: – Severnius.
Remember as you continue that Unveiling a Parallel was published in 1893. The society in which the protagonist finds himself is still a stratified society, in which there are rich and poor, servants and masters, characteristic of the era in which the story was written.
The reader is not told at any point in the story the protagonist’s name, or how he, comes to be on Mars. The story begins with his arrival on the red planet. It goes on to recount his experiences with the “Marsians” whilst amongst the marsian people.
The Marsian people are humans, who have evolved entirely independently of the humans of our planet Earth. The differences between the peoples are in the intellects and social orders, not in any physical aspect that defined what a human being is.
The traveller’s male pre-conceptions of how a society should function, based on his patriarchal background in a male dominated society, are challenged from soon after his arrival on Mars, as he begins to get to know its people. He finds a egalitarian, equal society where the female of the species is the equal of the male socially and morally, without needing legislation to achieve it.
It is also interesting to see the protagonist’s observations on religion, specifically Christianity, as he begins to come to terms with the “Marsian” society in which he finds himself.
Unveiling A Parallel is not SciFi in the form that readers of such as Asimov, E E Doc Smith or Larry Niven would probably appreciate. It is, to a greater extent, commentary on the differences between societies, that have evolved in different places, under different conditions and traditions.
“You worship the man – the God, if you
will, – instead of that for which he stood.”: – Severnius.
January 28, 2021
Al igual que muchos autores de “romances científicos” (como se les llamaba en esa época a las obras de proto-ciencia ficción), las estadounidenses Jones y Merchant aprovechan un escenario fantástico para exponer sus ideas filosóficas y políticas. En este caso, lo que buscan es promover ideas feministas.
Así, plantean un Marte en el que existen dos países. En el primero hombres y mujeres han alcanzado la igualdad, pero en el vicio. En el otro país, hombres y mujeres han alcanzado la igualdad en la virtud: no sólo hay igualdad entre hombres y mujeres, sino que ha logrado establecer una sociedad equitativa y justa en todos los niveles.
Ahora bien, aunque esto puede sonar sermoneador, esta novelita está muy bien escrita, es breve, amena y tiene diálogos muy interesantes que invitan a la reflexión.
Eso sí: de Marte, nada. Excepto por su atmósfera rosácea y las dos lunas que se ven en el cielo, la historia bien pudo haber transcurrido en cualquier lugar del mundo y habría dado exactamente lo mismo.
Así, plantean un Marte en el que existen dos países. En el primero hombres y mujeres han alcanzado la igualdad, pero en el vicio. En el otro país, hombres y mujeres han alcanzado la igualdad en la virtud: no sólo hay igualdad entre hombres y mujeres, sino que ha logrado establecer una sociedad equitativa y justa en todos los niveles.
Ahora bien, aunque esto puede sonar sermoneador, esta novelita está muy bien escrita, es breve, amena y tiene diálogos muy interesantes que invitan a la reflexión.
Eso sí: de Marte, nada. Excepto por su atmósfera rosácea y las dos lunas que se ven en el cielo, la historia bien pudo haber transcurrido en cualquier lugar del mundo y habría dado exactamente lo mismo.
January 27, 2021
another 3.5 roundup, descriptions of two different gender egalitarian societies on mars, the second being more of a socialist utopia. not exactly much of a plot but does have a nice touch of humor in many of the scenes
January 18, 2016
The book is very innovative not only with its credit paid to the dawning of the feminist movement in the US, but also for its implied or silent criticism of modern Christianity. The favored concept of religiosity is rather of a Gnostic quality. This view is even more surprising when considered together with the fact, that the Gnostic papyri where at that time far from the discovery.
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