Heart; A Social Novel

‘Heart: A Social Novel’ is a Victorian novel written by Martin Farquhar Tupper. The book follows the story of a wealthy and privileged young woman Hilda who becomes disillusioned with her superficial life and begins to explore deeper human emotions and values. She is drawn to the plight of the poor and becomes involved in charitable work much to the dismay of her aristocratic friends and family. The novel explores themes of social class philanthropy and morality. It also addresses the role of women in Victorian society highlighting the limited opportunities available to them and the pressures they faced to conform to societal norms. Through the character of Hilda Tupper challenges the reader to question their own values and priorities and to consider the importance of empathy and compassion for others.