Women During The Victorian Era Essay - 1719 Words

Throughout the 19th century, especially during the Victorian era, gender roles became very distinctive. There were certain characteristics that the ideal Victorian man or woman were expected to have which emphasized patriarchal superiority. The patriarchal system meant that males had dominance in their homes, specifically over women. The ideal man during this time period would focus on achieving job related success which, in turn, would show that he is an eligible suitor to get married. It was seen as important for the man to have a family to support and protect, which also gave him the opportunity to exercise authority within his household. While the men went off to work to provide for their families, the women stayed home to perform their motherly duties in addition to keeping busy around the house. It was expected of Victorian women to have feminine, graceful, and innocent attributes. In fact, before they found spouses, the ladies were taught to be pure and to have strong morals. Also, â€Å"higher education and professional work† were discouraged because it was thought that it â€Å"could lead to all sorts of covert rebellion† (Hughes). Although these gender roles were usually very distinctive, in some cases they became muddled. In the novel, Dracula, the author, Bram Stoker, contradicts Victorian Era principles to illustrate that socially constructed gender roles are not absolute. Set in the Victorian era, primarily in England and Transylvania, Dracula includes several maleShow MoreRelatedWomen During The Victorian Era1321 Words   |  6 PagesWomen in England during the Victorian Era were forced into a mold; their ideal function being marriage and procreation. They were expected to submit to their husbands, look pretty (but not feel passion), and learn everything having to do with sewing and entertainment (but nothing else), all while being expected to support their family. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was an educated woman in Victorian Engla nd who was able to step out of this mold and exercise her talent for writing. Browning admired andRead MoreThe Isolation Of Women During The Victorian Era1153 Words   |  5 Pagesbegin with but now are bringing her in. 2. Another clear reference to gender equality and the lack of it as well as a comment on class roles. Here Bronte shows the absurdity of gender restriction and attempts to shed light on the fact that women during the Victorian era had no rights and were too restricted. Ferndean 1. â€Å"Then he stretched his hand out to be led. I took that dear hand, held it a moment to my lips, then let it pass round my shoulder: being so much lower of stature than he, I served bothRead MoreRole Of Women During The Victorian Era1664 Words   |  7 Pagesshaped by many movements and time periods. The Victorian Period had a huge impact on many aspects in British literature and culture. 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It has been the leading power throughout centuries, with many countries looking up to it and kneeling before it. Still, the echo of its former majesty can be seen up to the present day. However, it is impossible to describe the periods all at once. It wouldRead MoreWomens Rights during the Victorian Era1082 Words   |  5 PagesWomen’s Rights during the Victorian Era The Victorian era, spurred a momentary sequence of both women and men in search of a prosperous relationship regulated by the demanding etiquettes of the Victorian Society. If these desired qualities were not in possession, a man or woman could be labeled as ‘unsuitable’ in the positions of a husband or a wife. Women suffered mostly throughout the Victorian Era as rights were ceased and the rules and guidelines of society were placed. The Victorian Era caused theRead MoreThe Influence Of Society On Victorian Relationships1411 Words   |  6 PagesTalia Bardash English Thesis Paper The Influence of Society on Victorian Relationships Afraid of rejection in the Victorian Era, men and women sought after relationships that agreed with the expectations set by society. Victorian literature satirized and underscored these expectations and their effects on individuals. During the Victorian Era relationships were not focused on the emotional aspect of marriage but rather growth in reputation and status. The characters in Oscar Wilde’s worksRead MoreThe Victorian Er The Beginnings Of A Modern World1534 Words   |  7 PagesNoonan Ms Rodden 3rd Period English April 11, 2017 The Victorian Era: The Beginnings of a Modern World In 1837, eighteen-year-old Victoria became Queen of England. She ushered in a new era of prosperity and progress. During Victoria’s reign, Great Britain was the most powerful nation in the world. â€Å"By 1882 Britain was in the later stages of acquiring the largest empire the world has ever seen† (Evans). During this time, Britain also emerged as the most powerful trading nationRead MoreWilliam Browning And Elizabeth Barrett Browning Essay1197 Words   |  5 PagesDifferent Perspective Literatures in the Victorian Era Many authors are influenced by the society, culture, politic and economy during their period. Therefore, their literary works usually describe the condition of their period directly or indirectly. The two authors, Roberts Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, also expose the culture and the condition of the society of the Victorian era through their works. The authors are married couple authors of the Victorian era. Roberts Browning’s a typical literary