Looking back at the Victorian Age, particularly
the 1830’s, women’s roles were quite different than what they are now. 1832 was
the year that the Reform Bill changed voting rights by granting a political
voice to many among the working class who had not had a voice. However, women
were not included in these reforms. This period saw little progress for women’s
rights; women had little access to education, could not vote or hold public
office, and could not own property. Women were defined by a patriarchal
society stating that women and men belonged to separate spheres.
“The ideology of Separate Spheres
rested on a definition of the ‘natural’ characteristics of women and men. Women
were considered physically weaker yet morally superior to men, which meant that
they were best suited to the domestic sphere. Not only was it their job to
counterbalance the moral taint of the public sphere in which their husbands labored
all day, they were also preparing the next generation to carry on this way of
life. The fact that women had such great influence at home was used as an
argument against giving them the vote” (Hughes).
Although this period saw little
progress in women’s rights, Victorian feminism did make its debut. It was
during this time that Queen Victoria reigned. She was the female icon of this century
representing a kind of femininity which was centered on the family, motherhood
and respectability. Many of the values that she portrayed were represented by
the women of England and held great influence. Lynn Abrams writes: “During the
reign of Queen Victoria, a woman's place was considered to be in the home. Then
the mood changed, as charitable missions began to extend the female role of
service, and Victorian feminism began to emerge as a potent political force” (Abrams).The
domestic spheres that held these women in were considered a cultural expression
of the female world. The way they dressed, etiquette, domestic furnishings,
social interactions, religious devotion and charitable activity all served to outline
the beginnings of a world within which women could express their power.
Literature written by Sarah Stickney
Ellis entitled The Women of England: Their Social Duties and Domestic Habits
highlights the women of Great Britain and their influence within the
domestic sphere. She argues that women hold subtle power when it comes to men.
She writes, “Whatever may be said of the capabilities of man’s hand, I believe
the feminine qualification of being able to use the hand willingly and well, has
a great deal to do with the moral influence of women. The personal services she
is thus enabled to render, enhance her value in the domestic circle” (p.16).
Ellis’s view on separate spheres adequately
reflects that of the time period. Another perspective of domestic spheres come
from an essay by John Ruskins entitled Of Queen’s Gardens. “It is
regarded as epitomizing the conservative Victorian ideal of femininity which
defined women as passive and belonging to the private sphere of the domestic
home – in comparison to the man who was 'the doer, the creator, the
discoverer' of the public sphere” (“John”).
“Women's virtue was… a hallmark of
Victorian society… As long as women functioned flawlessly within the domestic
sphere and never ventured from it, women were held in reverence by their
husbands and general society” (“The”). Both Ellis and Ruskins work reflect this
way of thinking. From todays perspective, we as a society have come a long way
from these separate spheres. Although, I truly believe that gender roles are
still represented in our society, we have made much progress in terms of coming
together no matter what gender or sexuality. We must continue to make progress
to bridge these gaps that keep us separated.
Abrams, Lynn.
“Ideals of Womanhood in Victorian Britain.” BBC, BBC, 9 Aug. 2001, www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/victorian_britain/women_home/ideals_womanhood_01.shtml.
Hughes, Kathryn.
“Gender Roles in the 19th Century.” The British Library, The
British Library, 15 May 2014, www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/gender-roles-in-the-19th-century.
“John Ruskin's
Lecture, 'Of Queen's Gardens'.” British Library, www.bl.uk/collection-items/john-ruskins-lecture-of-queens-gardens.
“The Emergence of ‘Women's Sphere.’” USHistory, www.ushistory.org/us/25e.asp.
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