ABSTRACT
Skin has always been associated with identity and also it is the largest and most visible organ of the body. Throughout history, skin has served a metonymic role in representing being and has been thought of as a worn identity. Without a doubt, in the Victorian period, skin was an important site of encounter with what was alien to one's self. Even though character and emotion were still partially measured through physiognomy, phrenology, and studies of expressions, the bodily surface of skin was of primary importance when it came to representing and assigning or forming identity. Along with other skin theorists, her sensitivity to the importance of skin as a place where identity resides and as a site of encounter have contributed in meaningful ways to Wild Animal Skins and its discussion of how the Victorians viewed and relied upon skins to try and comprehend the complexion of their world.
