 It was controversial and polarizing, setting these elements within the context of 19th century English society including the disputes within the Church, the National School movement, and the overall class structure of English society and changing circumstances of rural labor.During the era of first-wave feminism civil divorce was introduced and campaigns were waged against child prostitution, moving gender and sexuality issues to the forefront of public discussion.Hardy's work was criticized as vulgar, though by the late 19th century other experimental fiction works were released such as Florence Dixie's depiction of feminist utopia, "The Story of an African Farm" by Olive Schreiner, and Sarah Grand's work "The Heavenly Twins" raising awareness about syphilis and advocating sensitivity rather than condemnation for young women infected with the disease.