Role of Women in the 19th & early 20th centuries

Images and thoughts about 19th c. women

"In late nineteenth century American paintings, women are signifiers of leisure; they have past times, not occupations. They are shown performing nonessential functions, sewing, reading, enjoying the sun, or even passively engaged in 'reverie'."

"The foundation of our national character is laid by the mothers of the nation."

"About every true mother there is a sanctity of martyrdom- and when she is no more in the body, her children see her with the ring of light around her head." Godey's Lady's Book, 1867

She rose to His Requirement-dropt The Playthings of Her Life To take the honourable work of Woman, and of Wife- Emily Dickinson

"Whatever have been the cares of the day, greet your husband with a smile when he returns. Make your personal appearance just as beautiful as possible. Let him enter rooms so attractive and sunny that all the recollections of his home, when away from the same, shall attract him back." Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms, 1888

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Efficiency in housekeeping is measured by a threefold standard- 1st- the smoothness and precision with which the house runs 2nd- the nutritious effect of the food served to the family and the healthfulness of the home 3rd- practical economy of the household budget

It is the wife's responsibility to provide her husband "a happy home It is the wife's responsibility to provide her husband "a happy home... the single spot of rest which a man has upon this earth for the cultivation of his noblest sensibilities." The Household, 1882

Society thoughts in regards to women Mother Housekeeper Wife Female-centered domesticity Keeper of values No need to vote

Women like Kate Chopin And Charlotte Perkins Gilman see this as trapping

The majority of readers in the nineteenth century were women. Throughout the nineteenth century, domesticity was romanticized in literature, particularly in literature by women New “Feminist” Literature presented women with choices about what roles they wished to play in American society.

Chopin and Perkins Gilman presented women with options that were drastically different from the ones presented in popular advice literature and art. While neither “The Story of an Hour” nor “The Yellow-Wallpaper” have happy endings, they at least presented an alternative representation of women and of women's realities.

stories, keep track of people’s thoughts about women and As we read these two stories, keep track of people’s thoughts about women and options women had for finding freedom

Personal reflection What would you be willing to do to obtain the freedom and identity you want? Have you ever felt trapped by another person?