Introduction

Victorian men created an image of the `perfect woman'.  She was beautiful, demure, loving and intelligent.  Such a woman would be worshipped by her husband, but she had few civil or political rights.  Until 1884 a wife was officially listed as one of her husband's possessions.  She had to do as she was told by her husband, who was her protector and adviser.     

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1   A woman's world

From a book written by Mrs John Sandford, Woman in her Social and Domestic Character, 1831.  It was written "exclusively for her own sex", but she hoped it would meet with the aporoval of "those of whom she ever wishes to be the humble follower" (i.e. men).

A woman should make a man's home delightful, and support him at his work.  She should calm his mind – turn away his anger, and take away his sadness. 

Where a home is not happy, it is the woman's fault, for the woman, not the man, must make the sacrifice, especially in things that do not really matter.

In everything that women do, they must make it clear that they depend on men.  There is something unpleasant about self-sufficiency in females...

Their sex should ever teach them to be subordinate; they must get their own way, not by arguing, but by a gentle appeal to love or right and wrong.  In this respect, women are like children: the more they show they need looking after, the more attractive they are.

2   Woman's Mission - Companion of Manhood

This painting (1863) by George Elgar Hicks was part of a triptych entitled Woman’s Mission, the other two panels being Guide of Childhood and Comfort of Old Age.

Introduction (continued)

It is hard to write about 'Victorian women' in general because all people are different. Sources 3 and 4 give contrasting views of the lives of women in the nineteenth century.

3   Real happiness

From a book written by the English poet, artist and novelist Emily Eden, Semi-Attached Couple, 1830.

Sarah and Eliza were in good-natured delight over the clothes, from the lace wedding dress to the very last dozen embroidered pocket handkerchiefs...

`Thirty dresses,' whispered Sarah as they went downstairs.  'The idea of a new dress every day for a month; now I call that real happiness.'

'Not such real, lasting happiness', answered Eliza, 'as eighteen bracelets, heaps of gloves and handkerchiefs ... and to be going to be married'; and this wise conclusion brought them to the living-room door.

4   Discontent

Letter from an unnamed woman, 1873.

While reading in the paper to Day on the subject on shorter houers of Labour I was Reminded of A cercomstance that came under my hone notis...

I was Minding a masheen with 30 threds in it I was then maid to mind 2 of 30 treds each and with improved mecheens in A few years I was minding tow mecheens with tow 100 treds each and Dubel speed so that in our improved condition we went as if the Devel was After us for 10 houers per day and the feemals have often Been carred out fainting what with the heat and hard work and all this is Done in Christian England and then we are tould to Be content in the station of Life to wich the Lord as places us But I say the Lord never Did place us there so we have no Right to Be content...