Lesley Hall examines a range of specific areas in the context of the Victorian era, which saw major developments in issues of sex and gender. Topics discussed include social, political, legal, medical, psychological, sociological and scientific discourses around questions of sexuality, eugenics, birth control and abortion, homosexuality and lesbianism, venereal disease, prostitution, social purity, sex education, ideals of marriage and sexual relationship, censorship, the role of women and changing masculinities. A major focus is the ambiguous and syncopated relationship between progressive and reactionary tendencies. Secondary literature is synthesised and new archival research incorporated.