WOMEN IN THE MIDDLE CLASS IN 19TH C.
I.
INTRODUCTION TO THE MIDDLE CLASS IN 19TH C.
A.
NEW OCCURRENCE -GROWTH OF MIDDLE CLASS & ITS INFLUENCE
1.
GROWTH IN POWER & PRESTIGE OF MIDDLE CLASS PERHAPS
MOST NB SINGLE DEVELOPMENT IN SOCIAL HISTORY OF 19TH C.
a.
"CENTURY OF THE MIDDLE CLASS"
2.
NOT A HOMOGENEOUS UNIT IN TERMS OF OCCUPATION OR
INCOME
3.
BUT HAD TO HAVE A MINIMUM INCOME TO BE CONSIDERED
MIDDLE CLASS
4.
& DRAW SALARY RATHER THAN HOURLY WAGES
a.
TODAY CALL WHITE COLLAR
5.
AS WELL AS MAINTAIN A CERTAIN STYLE OF FAMILY LIFE
6.
& BE IN CERTAIN FORMS OF EMPLOYMENT
7.
THESE RANGED FROM SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS TYCOON TO
SMALL TRADERS & SHOP KEEPERS
8.
INCLUDED IN THIS GROUP WERE
a.
MINISTERS, LAWYERS, TEACHERS, DOCTORS,
BUREAUCRATS
9.
ENGLISH URBAN MIDDLE CLASS HARBINGERS OF
a.
MORALS,
b.
WORK ETHIC,
c.
& NUMEROUS OTHER CHARACTERISTICS THAT BECAME
PART OF SOCIETY IN EUROPE
10.
FOR MARRIED WOMEN
a.
IDEA OF ANGEL IN HOUSE
b.
LEISURE NOT WORK FOR MONEY
c.
BUT TO DO CHARITY WORK
(1)
NOT JUST TO GIVE MONEY
d.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SINGLE WOMEN LIMITED TO
(1)
GOVERNESSES
(2)
WRITERS
e.
& EVENTUALLY TEACHERS
11.
THESE VALUES, IDEAS & TRADITIONS, & CUSTOMS OF MIDDLE
CLASS
12.
HAVE PERCOLATED DOWN TO OUR OWN SOCIETY
II.
WOMEN IN THE MIDDLE CLASS
A.
HOW IDEAL STRUCTURE OF MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY AFFECTED WOMEN
1.
MIDDLE CLASS DEVOTED TO IDEAL OF FAMILY & HOME
2.
& HOME DISPLACED THE CHURCH ITSELF AS A REFUGE AND
SPIRITUAL HAVEN
3.
W/GROWTH IN MIDDLE-CLASS WEALTH & NUMBERS,
4.
HOME BECAME A STATUS SYMBOL &
a.
EMOTIONAL BULWARK AGAINST A RUDE COMMERCIAL
WORLD
5.
FATHER WAS THE MASTER OF HOUSEHOLD
6.
MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY RITUALS HELPED TO SUSTAIN THIS
HIERARCHY WHERE FATHER HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD
a.
EG. DAILY MEALS W/FATHER AT HEAD OF TABLE
2
POPULAR ADAGE OF DAY
a.
CHILDREN TO BE SEEN NOT HEARD
8.
WIFE TO BE SUBJECT TO HUSBAND AS WELL
9.
& SHE WAS TREATED BY HER SPOUSE AS A KIND OF SUPERIOR
SERVANT
10.
HER TASK WAS TO KEEP HOUSEHOLD FUNCTIONING SMOOTHLY
& HARMONIOUSLY
11.
MAN FOR THE FIELD, WOMAN FOR THE HEARTH, MAN FOR THE
SWORD AND FOR THE NEEDLE SHE; MAN WITH THE HEAD AND
WOMAN WITH THE HEART, MAN TO COMMAND AND WOMAN TO
OBEY; ALL ELSE CONFUSION. ALFRED LORD TENNYSON
SPECIFIC ROLE OF MARRIED WOMEN WITHIN THE FAMILY
1.
19TH CENTURY SAW A CHANGE FROM BEFORE
2.
WHEN FOR GENERATIONS WIFE AIDED HER HUSBAND IN HIS
BUSINESS
a.
THINGS LIKE HANDLED ACCOUNTS, CORRESPONDENCE
b.
& REARING OF CHILDREN LEFT TO NURSES &
GOVERNESSES
3.
HOME BECAME CENTER OF VIRTUE & PROPER LIFE FOR WOMEN
a.
NOT OUTSIDE WORK FOR MIDDLE CLASS WOMEN
4.
HISTORIANS NOT CERTAIN WHY THIS HAPPENED
5.
BUT HYPOTHESIZED MEN BEGAN TO INSIST ON DOING BUSINESS
W/OTHER MEN
6.
VALUE NOW PLACED ON FAMILY & HOME DEFINITELY LED TO
LESSENING OF WOMEN'S STATUS WITHIN SOCIETY
7.
MIDDLE CLASS WOMEN ENCOURAGED TO BE ONLY DABBLERS IN
EDUCATION
a.
LITTLE READING, WRITING, ARITHMETIC, GEOGRAPHY,
HISTORY
8.
BUT TO PURSUE CULTURAL ENDEAVORS SUCH AS
a.
LEARNING TO DRAW,PAINT, SING OR PLAY THE PIANO
9.
FINISHING SCHOOLS WILL EVENTUALLY BE ESTABLISHED TO
FOSTER THESE IDEAS
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS OF MIDDLE CLASS WOMEN
1.
WOMEN TO BE MARRIED BY 21
2.
EXPECTED IMMEDIATELY TO HAVE CHILDREN
3.
IN FACT, MARRIAGE ALMOST SOLE VOCATION OPEN TO MIDDLECLASS WOMEN
4.
BECAUSE OF THEIR SUPPOSED INNATE SPIRITUALITY
5.
"ANGEL OF THE HOUSE" EPITAPH FOR VICTORIAN WOMEN
6.
PHRASE ANGEL IN HOUSE NOW MUCH MORE FAMOUS THAN
POEM IT DERIVES FROM
7.
BUT IN VICTORIAN ENGLAND & AMERICA
8.
ANGEL IN HOUSE BY COVENTRY PATMORE SOLD BETTER THAN
ANY OTHER POETIC WORK EXCEPT FOR
a.
TENNYSON'S IDYLLS OF THE KING
b.
PLOT COVENTRY'S INTENSE LOVE FOR HIS WIFE EMILY
DESCRIBES COURTSHIP & MARRIAGE OF YOUNG COUPLE
9.
NOT ONLY WERE THEY TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MORAL
EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN
10.
WIFE'S SUPPOSED TO ELEVATE HER HUSBAND'S MORALITY
7.
B.
C.
3
TO BE SPIRITUAL ADVISOR TO HER HUSBAND
WIFE EXPECTED TO WOO HER HUSBAND TO BENEFITS OF HOME
& FAMILY
13.
& AWAY FROM HIS NATURAL INSTINCTS NATURE HAD ENDOWED
MALE SPECIES WITH
14.
VICTORIAN WOMEN ACQUIRED NEW ROLE AS SPIRITUAL
ADVISORS TO THEIR HUSBANDS
15.
SARA ELLIS, WHOSE GUIDE TO CONDUCT FOR VICTORIAN LADIES
WAS WIDELY READ
a.
WIFE'S PRINCIPAL DUTY WAS TO RAISE THE TONE OF HER
HUSBAND'S MIND AND TO LEAD HIS THOUGHTS TO REPOSE
ON THOSE SUBJECTS WHICH CONVEY A FEELING OF
IDENTITY W/A HIGHER STATE OF EXISTENCE BEYOND THIS
PRESENT LIFE.
16.
WHILE WOMEN VENERATED WITH THE HOME & EXPECTED TO
SET GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THEIR CHILDREN & HUSBAND
17.
THIS TIME WHEN WORD "LADY" NO LONGER RESERVED FOR
ARISTOCRATIC LADIES
a.
BUT NOW APPLIED TO MIDDLE CLASS WOMAN TOO
b.
EQUIVALENT OF GENTLEMAN
c.
LORD STILL RESERVED FOR ARISTOCRATIC TITLE
WAYS THESE IDEAS IN SOCIETY INCULCATED
1.
MAGAZINES & BOOKS DIRECTED TOWARD WOMEN
2.
BEGAN TO PRAISE MOTHERHOOD, DOMESTICITY, RELIGION &
CHARITY AS THE PROPER WORK OF WOMEN
3.
NOT EDIFICATION OF THEIR MINDS & INTELLECT
4.
BEGINNINGS OF TYPE OF MAGAZINES WE HAVE TODAY
a.
LADY'S HOME JOURNAL
5.
BEGAN WIDESPREAD USE OF ADVICE MANUALS REGARDING
HOUSEKEEPING
6.
THESE BOOKS WRITTEN BY WOMEN FOR WOMEN
a.
ENGLAND, FRANCE, U.S.
7.
ATTEMPTS MADE TO PROFESSIONALIZE HOUSEHOLD
MANAGEMENT
8.
WOMEN WRITERS EARNED MONEY BY CONVERTING THEIR
SISTERS TO RATIONALIZATION OF HOUSEWORK
9.
IN FRANCE THE LADY'S RUSTIC HOUSEHOLD
a.
CORA-ELIZABETH MILLET-ROBINET 1798-1890
(1)
APPEARED IN 21 EDITIONS BETWEEN 1844-1920
10.
IN CONTRAST MRS. BEETON'S BOOK OF HOUSEHOLD
MANAGEMENT
a.
UNDERSCORES FAR MORE URBAN CHARACTER OF
ENGLISH HOUSEWIFERY
b.
BY EMPHASIZING KNOWLEDGE OF DOMESTIC SERVANTS,
PREPARATION OF SIMPLE MEALS TO DINNER PARTIES
c.
& SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL
HOUSEHOLD CHORES
11.
BEETON ONLY 24 WHEN HER HUSBAND PRINTED THIS BOOK
12.
BUT WOMEN IN ENGLISH MIDDLE CLASSES ACCEPTED HER AS
ORACLE OF HOUSEHOLD WISDOM
13.
SALES SECOND ONLY TO VICTORIAN BEST-SELLER
11.
12.
D.
E.
F.
4
a.
KING JAMES BIBLE
14.
COOK BOOK, HELOISE, ETC. ALL IN ONE
IDEAS ON WOMEN'S FRAILTY IN 19TH C.
1.
MIDDLE CLASS ENGLISH WOMEN (FRENCH TOO) SEEN AS FEEBLE
CREATURES WHO BECAME INVALIDS FOR A FEW DAYS EACH
MONTH
2.
MENSTRUATION THROUGHOUT 19TH C & EVEN UP TO TODAY
3.
SEEN BY DOCTORS & WOMEN ALIKE AS DISABILITY
4.
AS LATE AS 1878 BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
a.
RAN SIX-MONTHS' CORRESPONDENCE ON WHETHER HAMS
COULD BE TURNED RANCID BY TOUCH OF MENSTRUATING
WOMEN
5.
SOME WOMEN CONSIDERED TOO FRAIL TO WALK ALONE IN
STREET,
6.
WHILE OTHERS WORKING UNDERGROUND IN COAL MINES
IDEAS ON SEXUALITY REGARDING MIDDLE CLASS WOMEN
1.
WIFE BETTER HALF BECAUSE SHE WAS PURE, INNOCENT,
CHILDLIKE & ASEXUAL
2.
SHE TO BE CHASTE BEFORE MARRIAGE & MODEST AFTER
3.
HER SEXUALITY TO BE DENIED
4.
SHE MUST NEVER RESPOND TO HIS SEXUAL ADVANCES W/EQUAL
PASSION
5.
IF SHE WAS PASSIONATE SHE WOULD FIND IT HARD NOT TO FEEL
GUILTY ABOUT PLEASURES SHE PRESUMED TOO PURE TO TASTE
a.
& PRIVATE DIARIES SUGGEST THIS
6.
BUT SOME NEW RESEARCH ON SEXUAL MORES 19TH C
a.
SHOWS DIFFERENT PICTURE
b.
BUT THIS ISSUE STILL BIG DEBATE AMONG HISTORIANS
7.
MIDDLE CLASS ENJOYED SEXUAL RELATIONS WITHIN MARRIAGE
FAR MORE FULLY THAN WAS ONCE THOUGHT
8.
DIARIES, LETTERS & EVEN EARLY MEDICAL & SOCIOLOGICAL
SEX SURVEYS
9.
INDICATE SEXUAL ENJOYMENT RATHER THAN SEXUAL
REPRESSION FUNDAMENTAL TO MIDDLE CLASS MARRIAGES
10.
MUCH OF INHIBITION ABOUT SEXUALITY STEMMED FROM
ACTUAL DANGERS OF CHILDBIRTH
11.
RATHER THAN ANY DISLIKE OR DISAPPROVAL OF SEXUAL
12.
SO IGNORANCE MEANS OF PRESERVING INNOCENCE OF GIRLS
BEFORE MARRIAGE
13.
PARENTS SUPPOSE TO INSULATE THEIR DAUGHTERS FROM ALL
SUGGESTIVE SIGHTS & SOUNDS
14.
HENCE EUPHEMISMS USED TO EXPLAIN WHAT THEY
CONSIDERED DELICATE SUBJECTS
a.
BOSOM & BUST FOR BREAST
b.
LIMB FOR LEG
c.
SECOND JOIN OF CHICKEN FOR THIGH
d.
PRIVATE PARTS AND DOWN THERE FOR VULVA & VAGINA
e.
BREAST FEEDING = MATERNAL NUTRIMENT
f.
PREGNANCY = AN UNHAPPY CONDITION
15.
WRITING TO ONE OF HER DAUGHTERS TO PREPARE HER FOR THE
BIRTH OF HER FIRST CHILD QUEEN VICTORIA SPOKE OF
G.
5
CHILDBIRTH AS
a.
A COMPLETE VIOLENCE TO ALL ONE'S FEELINGS OF
PROPRIETY- WHICH GOD KNOWS RECEIVES A SHOCK
ENOUGH IN MARRIAGE ALONE
16.
MANY MEDICAL TEXTS & SEX MANUALS IN ENGLAND & U.S.
17.
DISCUSSED VIEWS OF FEMALE SEXUAL PASSIVITY
a.
GENERALLY OF ENGLISH PHYSICIAN LORD WILLIAM
ACTON
b.
THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT THAT SEXUAL FEELING IN THE
FEMALE IS IN THE MAJORITY OF CASES IN ABEYANCE; AND
THAT IT REQUIRES POSITIVE AND CONSIDERABLE
EXCITEMENT TO BE ROUSED AT ALL; AND EVEN IF ROUSED
WHICH IN MANY INSTANCES IT NEVER CAN BE IT IS VERY
MODERATE COMPARED WITH THAT OF THE MALE
18.
AGE OF CONSENT CHANGED IN 19TH C.
a.
WOMEN INVOLVED IN REFORMING PROSTITUTION ARGUED
THAT BEST WAY TO CHANGE LEGAL AGE OF CONSENT FOR
WOMEN
b.
E.G. FROM 12 TO 16 IN ENGLAND
DOUBLE STANDARD REGARDING MARRIAGE LAWS & DIVORCE
1.
BLATANT DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN LANGUAGE OF
TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE CEREMONY OF ANGLICAN CHURCH
2.
& ACTUALITY OF WOMEN'S POSITION IN CIVIL LAW
3.
BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER
a.
HUSBAND PLEDGED ALL HIS WORLDLY GOODS TO HIS NEW
WIFE
4.
BUT AS BARBARA LEIGH SMITH BODICHON 1827-91 REPORTED
5.
AT MARRIAGE WOMAN'S BELONGINGS
a.
NOT ONLY HER CLOTHES & JEWELS
b.
BUT HER BODY AS WELL
c.
BECAME HER HUSBAND'S PROPERTY
6.
MARRIED WOMEN BARRED FROM
a.
MAKING CONTRACTS
b.
BEARING WITNESS IN COURT
c.
INITIATING LAWSUITS
d.
BUT COULD BE PROSECUTED FOR MOST CRIMINAL
OFFENSES
7.
RELIGIOUS & PUBLIC PRONOUNCEMENTS ON PROPER ROLE OF
WIVES
8.
OFTEN TOTALLY AT ODDS
9.
RELIGION, NOTABLY CATHOLICISM
a.
COUNSELED THEM TO PLACE GOD & CHILDREN BEFORE
THEIR HUSBANDS
b.
BUT SECULAR ADVICE LITERATURE UNRELENTING IN
DEMAND THAT CONJUGAL LOVE COME FIRST
10.
DOUBLE STANDARD PREVAILED FOR DIVORCE THROUGHOUT
EUROPE TOO
11.
IN ENGLAND, MATRIMONIAL CAUSES ACT OF 1857
a.
SET UP SECULAR DIVORCE COURTS
b.
PRIOR TO THAT EACH DIVORCE IN ENGLAND REQUIRED A
SEPARATE ACT OF PARLIAMENT
6
DOUBLE STANDARD AS DIFFERENT TERMS FOR DIVORCE
MAN NEEDED ONLY TO SHOW EVIDENCE OF HIS WIFE'S
ADULTERY
e.
LAW MADE QUICK WORK OF AN UNFAITHFUL WIFE
f.
HUSBAND GOT HER PROPERTY AS WELL AS HIS &
CUSTODY OF CHILDREN
(1)
THIS WAS TO ATONE FOR THE WRONGS HIS WIFE
HAD DONE TO HIM FOR TAKING A LOVER
(2)
THE EMBARRASSMENT HE HAD TO SUFFER BECAUSE
HIS WIFE WAS UNNATURAL
g.
WIFE HAD TO SHOW EVIDENCE OF OTHER MARITAL
FAILINGS IN ORDER TO GET DIVORCE
(1)
LIKE CRUELTY, INCEST, RAPE OR DESERTION
12.
DIVORCE REMAINED LOW
a.
ONLY 2% OF ALL MARRIAGES ENDED IN DIVORCE
THROUGH 19TH C
PLIGHT OF UNMARRIED MIDDLE CLASS WOMEN
1.
BECAUSE MARRIAGE NORMAL AVENUE FOR MIDDLE CLASS
WOMEN
2.
POOR GENTEEL SINGLE GIRLS WHO HAD TO WORK FOR THEIR
LIVING FOUND THEMSELVES IN UNTENABLE POSITIONS
3.
THEY PREVENTED BY LAW & TRADITION FROM ENTERING
PROFESSIONS GIVING THEM ADEQUATE INCOME
4.
ONLY LATE IN CENTURY AFTER MUCH AGITATION
5.
THAT LEGISLATION OPENED DOOR TO
a.
MEDICINE,
b.
THE LAW,
c.
THE UNIVERSITIES,
d.
THE CIVIL SERVICE TO WOMEN
6.
BEFORE THAT, ALL A RESPECTABLE MIDDLE CLASS WOMAN
COULD DO WAS BE A GOVERNESS OR WRITE
a.
LATER ON TEACH
7.
THIS IS WHY SO MANY NOVELS OF THE PERIOD HAVE
GOVERNESSES AS THEIR HEROINES
a.
IT WAS A MUCH FEARED FATE
b.
BECOMING A GOVERNESS LAST RESORT OF IMPOVERISHED
WOMAN OF PRIVILEGED CLASSES
c.
BEING GOVERNESS OBJECT OF PITY & SCORN
8.
GOVERNESS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN SERVANT & LADY
9.
THROUGHOUT MEMOIRS OR NOVELS RELATING TO
GOVERNESSES
a.
CONTINUAL SIGNS OF FRUSTRATION & DISSATISFACTION
10.
BRONTE SISTERS ILLUSTRATE THIS:
a.
EMILY, THE MOST INDEPENDENT, HATED TEACHING SO
MUCH SHE ABANDONED IT,
b.
BUT CHARLOTTE & ANNE, ALMOST AS MISERABLE, STUCK
IT OUT FOR YEARS
c.
FAMOUS JANE EYRE NOVEL EPITOMIZES THIS
d.
BUT CHARLOTTE SEVERELY CRITICIZED WHEN HER NOVEL
FIRST APPEARED IN 1847
(1)
IT SHOWED HER INGRATITUDE TO HER EMPLOYERS
c.
d.
H.
7
BESIDES WRITING ABOUT PLIGHT OF GOVERNESS
OTHERS ATTEMPTED TO AID THEM BY FORMING SUCH
ORGANIZATIONS AS
a.
"ENGLISH GOVERNESSES" BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION
(1)
JOB REGISTER
(2)
PENSIONS FOR GOVERNESSES
(3)
HELPED TO FOUND FIRST COLLEGE FOR WOMEN IN
ENGLAND
(a)
QUEEN'S COLLEGE 1848
(b)
TEACHERS' TRAINING SCHOOL
(c)
HOPEFULLY TO OBTAIN BETTER WAGES FOR
GOVERNESSES
WOMEN WRITERS & THEIR INFLUENCE ON WOMEN & SOCIETY
1.
BY 19TH C THOUSANDS OF EUROPEAN WOMEN WRITING FOR
LIVING
2.
PRIMARILY NOVELS
a.
READ BY OTHER WOMEN
3.
MOST OF WRITERS UPHELD TRADITIONAL VALUES OF SOCIETY
4.
BUT SOME WOMEN WRITERS BEGAN TO ASSERT THEMSELVES
AGAINST ACCEPTED NORMS
5.
CHARLOTTE BRONTE'S JANE EYRE
6.
ELIZABETH GASKELL'S RUTH
a.
UNWED MOTHER IS PORTRAYED AS MORAL SUPERIOR OF
HER SEDUCER
7.
GEORGE ELIOT'S MIDDLEMARCH
a.
WHEN DOROTHEA BROOKE REALIZES SHE IS WISER &
MORE HUMANE THAN HER OLDER, CLERGYMAN HUSBAND
8.
THUS NOVELS WRITTEN BY ICONOCLASTIC WOMEN WRITERS IN
19TH C
a.
WHERE ORIGINATED NEW IDEAS ABOUT EXPANSION &
CHANGE OF WOMEN'S ROLES IN SOCIETY
11.
12.
I.
III.
CHARITY & REFORM WORK FOR WOMEN
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
FIRST HALF OF 19TH C. WOMEN IN ENGLAND, FRANCE &
GERMANY TO BE ANGELS OF HOUSE
a.
CULT OF DOMESTICITY AT ITS HEIGHT
2.
BUT BY MID-CENTURY WOMEN FINDING THIS ROLE TOO
NARROW
3.
SOUGHT TO EXPAND THEIR MORAL INFLUENCE OUTSIDE FAMILY
CIRCLE
4.
THEY TOOK THEIR ROLE AS ANGELS QUITE SERIOUSLY
5.
KINDERGARTEN FOUNDER
a.
GERMAN WOMAN - HENRIETTE SCHRADER-BREYMANN
b.
HER AIM
(1)
TO EXALT WOMEN TO SPIRITUAL MOTHERHOOD AS
MOTHERS TO SOCIETY AND NOT JUST TO THEIR OWN
HOUSEHOLDS
6.
PUBLIC SERVICE BECAME ACTIVE FORCE FOR MIDDLE CLASS
WOMEN
7.
NOT ENTIRELY ABSENT IN EARLIER GENERATIONS,
8
BUT MANY OF ITS FEATURES NEW
MARRIED WOMEN SET EXAMPLE BY VOLUNTEERING TO HELP
THOSE LESS FORTUNATE THAN THEMSELVES
10.
WOMEN IN ENGLAND FOR INSTANCE BECAME IN CHARGE OF
a.
CLUBS FOR POOR YOUTH
b.
SOCIETIES TO PROTECT POOR YOUNG WOMEN
c.
RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS FOR FALLEN WOMEN
d.
MOTHERS' CLUBS IN SLUMS
e.
FRESH AIR CAMPS FOR POOR CITY CHILDREN
f.
HOMES FOR
(1)
BLIND, DEAF & DUB, AGED, UNEMPLOYED
GOVERNESSES, ORPHANS
g.
SCHOOLS FOR INFANTS
h.
SOCIETIES FOR VISITING POOR
i.
EVEN HOME OF REST FOR HORSES
11.
BY USING TRADITIONAL VALUES
12.
ABLE TO ENTER INTO CHARITY WORK & REFORM WORK
13.
IN AREAS NOT USUALLY OPEN TO WOMEN
a.
PRISONS
b.
SCHOOLS
c.
HOMES OF POOR
d.
STREETS OF NEW CITIES
14.
IN CATHOLIC COUNTRIES YOUNG MIDDLE CLASS & ABOVE
WOMEN ENTERED
a.
INCLUDING NEW NURSING & CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS
b.
IN GREAT NUMBERS
c.
SISTERS OF MERCY
d.
FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF THE POOR
e.
SISTERS OF ST. CHARLES
f.
DAUGHTERS OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE
g.
JUST A FEW OF NE UNCLOISTERED 19TH C. WOMEN'S
ORDERS
15.
CONVENTS STILL RESTRICTED TO RELATIVELY WEALTHY
a.
MOST ORDERS STILL HAD TO BRING DOWRY FOR SUPPORT
b.
& WOMEN WHO HAD BEEN SERVANTS NOT ALLOWED
16.
PROTESTANTS & CATHOLICS
a.
FOUNDED ORPHANAGES
b.
ASSISTED NEW MISSIONS IN ASIA & AFRICA & AMERICA
17.
BUT PRIMARILY THESE CHARITIES TO AID OTHER WOMEN &
CHILDREN
18.
THOUSANDS OF WOMEN IN THESE ENDEAVORS ATTACHED TO
SOME RELIGIOUS GROUP IN EUROPE
a.
IN 19TH C. LOTS MORE WOMEN THAN MEN IN RELIGIOUS
ORDERS
NEW CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN REGARDING CHARITY & REFORM
1.
MOST INNOVATIVE & ENDURING ASPECT OF FEMALE CHARITY
WORK IN FRANCE
a.
FOUNDATION OF CRECHE
(1)
NURSERY FOR INFANTS & PRESCHOOL CHILDREN OF
WORKING MOTHERS
b.
BY END OF 19TH C THOUSANDS OF CRECHES EXISTED
8.
9.
B.
9
TYPICALLY HALF STAFFED WITH CATHOLIC NUNS
WOMEN INVENTED NEW WAYS TO RAISE MONEY FOR THEIR
CHARITIES
a.
VISITING SICK & POOR
b.
MAKING CLOTHING & OTHER USEFUL ITEMS
c.
ORGANIZING COLLECTION & DISTRIBUTION DRIVES
d.
THRIFT SHOP
e.
CHARITY BAZAAR
f.
FUNDRAISING DINNER OR DANCE
4.
ALL THESE CREATED BY WOMEN WHO DIDN'T HAVE FINANCIAL
RESOURCES OF OWN TO GIVE
5.
EG OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITY
a.
OBITUARY OF MME. EMILE DELESALLE FROM A 19TH
CATHOLIC PAPER IN FRANCE
THE POOR WERE THE OBJECT OF HER AFFECTIONATE INTEREST, ESPECIALLY THE
SHAMEFUL POOR, THE FALLEN PEOPLE. SHE SOUGHT THEM OUT AND HELPED
THEM W/PERFECT DISCRETION WHICH DOUBLED THE VALUE OF HER BENEVOLENT
INTEREST. TO THOSE WHOM SHE COULD APPROACH W/O FEAR OF BRUISING THEIR
DIGNITY, SHE BROUGHT, ALONG WITH ALMS TO ASSURE THEIR EXISTENCE,
CONSOLATION OF THE MOST SERIOUS SORT - SHE RAISED THEIR COURAGE AND
THEIR HOPES. TO OTHERS, EACH SUNDAY, SHE OPENED ALL THE DOORS OF HER
HOME, ABOVE ALL WHEN HER CHILDREN WERE STILL YOUNG. IN MAKING THEM
DISTRIBUTE THESE ALMS WITH HER, SHE HOPED TO INITIATE THEM EARLY INTO
PRACTICES OF CHARITY.
2.
3.
IV.
EXAMPLES OF WOMEN INVOLVED IN CHARITY & REFORM
A.
HANNAH MORE 1745-1833
1.
FORERUNNER OF TYPE OF WOMEN WHO WILLING TO REMAIN
PART OF TRADITIONAL ROLE FOR WOMEN
2.
WHILE MOVING OUTSIDE HOME IN ACCEPTABLE CHARITABLE
PRACTICES FOR WOMEN
3.
LIVING AT SAME TIME AS MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT
4.
SHE AGAINST FRENCH REVOLUTION IDEAS
5.
SHE IN VANGUARD FOR EVANGELICAL MOVEMENT
6.
& ESTABLISHMENT OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND
7.
TO IMPROVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OF POOR
8.
WOMEN HAD MORAL DUTY TO BE BENEVOLENT
a.
CARE OF POOR IS HER PROFESSION
9.
FOR HANNAH IT WAS TEACHING POOR CHILDREN TO READY IN
SUNDAY SCHOOLS
10.
THUS A MORAL WOMAN SHOULD PRACTICE HER MORALITY
OUTSIDE AS WELL AS INSIDE HOME
B.
ELIZABETH FRY 1780-1845
1.
QUAKER
2.
MADE MAJOR STRIDES IN REFORMING CONDITIONS FOR WOMEN
PRISONERS
3.
WOMEN AT NEWGATE PRISON IN LONDON
a.
OVERLY CROWDED CONDITIONS
(1)
NO BEDDING, NO ADEQUATE CLOTHING, NO
DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
4.
SHE SET ABOUT IMPROVING THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS WHILE IN
C.
10
PRISON
5.
PLUS GIVING THEM WAYS TO EARN LIVELIHOOD ON THEIR
RELEASE
6.
GARMENTS THEY MADE SOLD IN PRISON SHOP
a.
PART OF PROFITS FOR PRISONERS UPON THEIR RELEASE
7.
FRY SO IMPRESSED AUTHORITIES SHE FIRST WOMAN TO BE
CALLED TO TESTIFY BEFORE BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY
COMMITTEE
8.
SHE FOUNDED BRITISH SOCIETY OF LADIES FOR PROMOTING THE
REFORMATION OF FEMALE PRISONERS
9.
HER IDEAS SPREAD ABROAD
10.
I REJOICE TO SEE THE DAY IN WHICH SO MANY WOMEN OF
EVERY RANK, INSTEAD OF SPENDING THEIR TIME IN TRIFLING
AND UNPROFITABLE PURSUITS ARE ENGAGED IN WORKS OF
USEFULNESS AND CHARITY
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE 1820-1910
1.
WITH EXCEPTION OF QUEEN VICTORIA
2.
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MOST FAMOUS WOMAN OF HER
CENTURY
3.
PRAISE & LEGEND STEM FROM SINGLE INCIDENT IN HER LONG
LIFE OF SERVICE TO ENGLAND & HEALTH CARE
a.
HER NURSING WORK AT FRONT DURING CRIMEAN WAR
4.
BEFORE FLORENCE MADE NURSING REAL PROFESSION
a.
WITH SET OF PREREQUISITE QUALIFICATIONS
b.
& ETHICAL STANDARDS
5.
HOSPITALS EMPLOYED & RECEIVED ONLY VERY POOR
6.
WHO USUALLY WENT THERE TO DIE
7.
SINCE ABOLITION OF RELIGIOUS ORDERS DURING REFORMATION
IN ENGLAND
8.
NURSING HAD BECOME AN OCCUPATION FOR DRUNKEN &
FALLEN WOMEN
9.
BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE WOULD TAKE UP SUCH DANGEROUS,
DISTASTEFUL & FILTHY WORK
10.
BY CONTRAST IN CATHOLIC FRANCE SISTERS OF CHARITY
a.
NURSING ORDER
b.
SERVED HOSPITALIZED
11.
FLORENCE LED CORPS OF NURSES THAT SHE HERSELF HAD
TRAINED TO FRONT IN 1854
12.
AFTER RETURNING TO ENGLAND SHE SPENT HALF-CENTURY
13.
MUCH OF IT AS SEMI-INVALID
14.
BECAME FOUNDER OF MODERN ENGLISH NURSING
15.
THEN THIS LED HER TO DO PUBLIC HEALTH WORK
16.
& SANITATION REFORM FOR LONDON POOR
17.
WRITING & RESEARCHING IN ORDER TO IMPROVE HOSPITAL &
HEALTH CONDITIONS IN ENGLAND, IN ARMY & IN EMPIRE
18.
SHE TRIED TO INFLUENCE GOVT POLICY, THROUGH A CABINET
MEMBER
19.
TO STUDY NURSING SHE HAD TO GO UP AGAINST HER FAMILY &
SOCIETY
a.
HER MOTHER & SISTER ESPECIALLY ANTI HER WISHES
b.
FOR SHE WAS UNMARRIED DAUGHTER OF UPPER-CLASS
D.
11
BRITISH FAMILY
c.
IN TRADITION OF GENTLEWOMAN SHE HAD CARED FOR
POOR NEAR HER FAMILY'S ESTATE
d.
SHE GREW TO HATE THIS "LADY BOUNTIFUL" ROLE
e.
SHE BECAME AWARE SHE DID NOT KNOW HOW TO HELP
POOR & SICK
f.
AT AGE 25 SHE ANNOUNCED HER PLAN TO BECOME NURSE
g.
THIS SO HORRIFIED HER MOTHER & ELDER SISTER THAT
THEY CRIED, CAJOLED & OBSTRUCTED FLORENCE FROM
TRAINING & PRACTICING HER VOCATION FOR 9 YRS
20.
FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE DISCOVERED SUPREME IRONY OF
BEING LEISURED WOMAN
21.
SHE HAD NO TIME TO DEVELOP HERSELF
22.
THEME OF ESSAY SHE WROTE IN 1852
a.
CASSANDRA
23.
BUT HER REFORMS ALWAYS SEEN AS HER ACTING AS MAN
a.
IN FACT SHE SAW HERSELF IN THIS ROLE
FRANCES POWER COBBE 1822-1904
1.
ONLY DAUGHTER OF UPPER-CLASS ANGLO-IRISH FAMILY
2.
SPENT FIRST PART OF HER LIFE ON LARGE ESTATE NEAR DUBLIN
3.
AFTER HAVING BEEN EDUCATED AT HOME
4.
FIRST BY HER MOTHER &
5.
LATER BY SEVERAL GOVERNESSES
6.
SHE SENT AT AGE OF 14 TO FASHIONABLE & EXPENSIVE
FINISHING SCHOOL IN ENGLISH RESORT OF BRIGHTON
7.
LATER ON WILL BE WRITER, REFORMER & ADVOCATE OF
FEMINIST CAUSE
8.
SHE AGAINST THIS CATEGORIZING OF WOMEN INTO THE
DOMESTIC SPHERE
9.
BUT MOST FAMOUS FOR HER STANCE AGAINST HUSBANDS
BEATING THEIR WIVES
a.
IN 1878 IN ARTICLE ENTITLED
(1)
"WIFE-TORTURE IN ENGLAND"
b.
SHE DOCUMENTED HORRORS TO WHICH WOMEN,
PARTICULARLY WORKING CLASS WIVES SUBJECTED
c.
SHE HOPED TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE IN ATTITUDE THAT
WOULD ALLOW THESE WOMEN TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY
d.
ALTHOUGH COBBE OBSERVED THAT WIFE-BEATING WAS
EXACERBATED BY
(1)
DRINK, PROSTITUTION & APPALLING LIVING
CONDITIONS
(2)
SHE CLEARLY RECOGNIZED THAT FUNDAMENTAL
CAUSE OF WIFE-ABUSE DUE TO CONVENTIONAL
ATTITUDES TOWARD FEMALE SEX
(3)
WIDELY-ACCEPTED NOTION OF WOMAN'S
INFERIORITY,
(4)
AT HEART OF WIFE-BEATING PROBLEM
(5)
AS NECESSARY FIRST STEP
(6)
SHE PROPOSED PASSAGE OF BILL THAT WOULD
PROTECT WIVES FROM HUSBANDS CONVICTED OF
BRUTAL ASSAULTS
12
& PARLIAMENT RESPONDED BY ENACTING BILL TO
AMEND MATRIMONIAL CAUSES ACT -1878
(a)
WIVES COULD BECOME LEGALLY SEPARATED
FROM THEIR HUSBANDS FOR AGGRAVATED
ASSAULT
CATHERINE BOOTH 1829-1891.
CO-FOUNDER WITH HUSBAND WILLIAM OF SALVATION ARMY
2.
ENGLISH
3.
DEVOTED THEIR LIVES TO SERVING INDUSTRIAL POOR OF
LONDON
4.
BOTH CHURCH & SOCIAL SERVICES OFFERED
5.
AVOWED FEMINIST
6.
AFTER 5 YEARS BEGAN TO PREACH TOO
a.
POWERFUL PUBLIC SPEAKER
b.
ALTHOUGH MANY CHRISTIANS AGAINST THIS
c.
HUSBAND WILLIAM'S RETORT
(1)
BEST MEN IN MY ARMY ARE THE WOMEN
d.
MALES & FEMALES HELD EQUAL RANK IN SALVATION
ARMY
e.
MORE WORSHIPPING WITH SALVATION ARMY THAN WITH
ORDINARY CHURCHES
7.
STARTED FOOD FOR POOR
a.
COULD BUY HOT SOUP & DINNER
b.
ON SPECIAL OCCAISONS GAVE IT AWAY
8.
CATHERINE ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN PLIGHT OF POOR
WORKING WOMEN
9.
LED CAMPAIGN AGAINST YELLOW PHOSPHORUS USED IN
MAKING MATCHES
10.
SHE WROTE TEMPERANCE TRACTS UNDER ASSUMED NAME
a.
BUT WIDELY DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT EUROPE
11.
BY TIME OF HER DEATH IN 1890 ALMOST 13,000 IN MISSIONS ON 3
CONTINENTS
12.
IN UNITED STATES MINISTRY ENTRUSTED TO SEVERAL OF THEIR
CHILDREN
a.
THEY HAD 8 CHILDREN
13.
TODAY SALVATION ARMY STILL GOING STRONG
(7)
E.
V.
OPPOSITION TO MIDDLE CLASS WOMEN DOING CHARITY & REFORM
A.
GENERAL REMARKS (FROM BARBARA POPE -1ST ED OF BRIDENTHAL &
SHE'S FROM UNIV OF OREGON
1.
WOMEN'S PHILANTHROPY HARSHLY CRITICIZED BY SOME
2.
CHARLES DICKENS & MRS. SARAH ELLIS
a.
MRS. ELLIS MAJOR WRITER FOR WOMEN & CULT OF
DOMESTICITY
(1)
THE MOTHERS OF ENGLAND, THE WOMEN OF
ENGLAND, THE DAUGHTERS OF ENGLAND, THE
WIVES OF ENGLAND
3.
PREACHED THAT CHARITY BEGAN AT HOME & SHOULD STAY
THERE
4.
BOTH BALZAC & FLAUBERT DEPICTED FEMALE HYPOCRITES
WHO DISPLAYED THEIR GOODNESS BY VISITING THE POOR
5.
6.
7.
8.
VI.
13
THESE 4 AUTHORS CHARGED THAT SOME MIDDLE-CLASS
WOMEN DID PHILANTHROPIC WORK
a.
BECAUSE IT TENDED TO PUT THEM IN RIGHT CIRCLES
b.
& PRESENTED EXCUSE TO LEAVE HOME
c.
& DEMONSTRATE THEIR GENTEEL SENSIBILITIES TO LARGE
AUDIENCE
BUT CRITICS JUDGED CHARITABLE WOMEN TOO HARSHLY
& PROBABLY WRONGLY
MUCH CHARITY WORK TOOK REAL COURAGE & DEVOTION &
CANNOT BE CATEGORIZED AS EITHER FASHIONABLE OR
FRIVOLOUS
WAYS WOMEN GOT AROUND OPPOSITION TO THEIR ACTIONS
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
WOMEN WHO WANTED TO OPERATE BEYOND ACCEPTED NORMS
2.
HAD TO DO IT ANONYMOUSLY OR WITHOUT SUPPORT
3.
FOR WRITERS THEY HAD SEVERAL OPTIONS
a.
ANONYMITY
b.
MALE PSEUDONYMS
4.
JANE AUSTEN PUBLISHED ALL HER NOVELS ANONYMOUSLY
5.
OTHERS USED NONDESCRIPT WORDS SUCH AS
a.
PUBLISHED BY "LADY "
b.
OR BY AUTHOR OF PREVIOUS BOOK
6.
GEORGE ELIOT
a.
PSEUDONYM OF MARIAN EVANS
7.
GEORGE SAND 1804-1876
a.
PSEUDONYM OF AURORA DUDEVANT
8.
BRONTE SISTERS PUBLISHED AS
a.
ELLIS, CURRER & ACTON BELL
(1)
E FOR EMILY
(2)
C FOR CHARLOTTE
(3)
A FOR ANNE
9.
SO WHAT WE FIND HAPPENING THAT CONTINUES EVEN TOADY
10.
EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN TENDED TO IDENTIFY WITH LIKE-MINDED
MEN
11.
RATHER THAN OTHER WOMEN
12.
& WOMEN DID NOT SUPPORT UNUSUAL OR EXCEPTIONAL
WOMEN
13.
UNLESS THEY ACTED WITHIN TRADITIONAL ROLES
14.
MANY WAYS EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN MADE IT SO TO SPEAK ON
THEIR OWN
15.
& THUS WERE IN UNIQUE POSITIONS
16.
& LIKE THE ATTENTION & NOTORIETY OF THIS
17.
CHARITY WORK RARELY ERADICATED CLASS BARRIERS
18.
MANY PRIVILEGED WOMEN RESISTED ANY REFORM FOR THEIR
DOMESTIC SERVANTS
19.
WOMEN SHARED VIEWS OF THEIR CLASS
20.
POVERTY SIGN OF INFERIORITY
21.
MISFORTUNE SIGNALED MORAL LAPSES
22.
& GOD'S DISPLEASURE
23.
JUST LIKE TODAY WHEN UNTIL RECENTLY WOMEN HAVE NOT
24.
VII.
14
BANDED TOGETHER AS CLASS TO CHANGE LEGAL & ECONOMIC
INEQUITIES
THIS LAST ELECTION FIRST TIME EVER IT SEEMS WOMEN AS
GENDER BANDED TOGETHER TO VOTE
MIDDLE CLASS REFORMERS ASSERTING POLITICAL ROLE FOR WOMEN
A.
JEANNE DEROIN 1802-1894
1.
FOUNDED NEWSPAPER L'OPINION DES FEMMES
2.
SHE ATTEMPTED TO RUN FOR OFFICE IN FRANCE
B.
HARRIET TAYLOR & JOHN STUART MILL
1.
WHEN MET IN EARLY 20'S
2.
HARRIET AT TIME YOUNG MARRIED WOMAN WITH 2 YOUNG
CHILDREN
3.
BUT WITHIN YEAR MILL & TAYLOR HAD RELATIONSHIP
a.
SAID TO BE INTELLECTUAL & SPIRITUAL INTIMACY
4.
FOR NEXT 20 YRS MILL CONTINUED TO LIVE AT HOME WITH HIS
MOTHER & YOUNGER SIBLINGS
5.
WHILE MRS. TAYLOR REMAINED IN HER HUSBAND'S HOUSEHOLD
6.
YET IS CLEAR UNCONVENTIONAL RELATIONSHIP THEY ENJOYED
WITH EACH OTHER CORE OF THEIR LIVES
7.
WHEN THEY BOTH IN THEIR 40'S & IN POOR HEALTH
8.
HARRIET'S HUSBAND DIED
9.
& HARRIET & JOHN MARRIED
10.
JUST 7 YRS LATER HARRIET DIED AT AVIGNON
11.
& MILL BOUGHT A HOME NEAR CEMETERY WHERE SHE BURIED
12.
NATURE OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP
13.
& EXACT CONTRIBUTION OF HARRIET TAYLOR TO MILLS
THOUGHT & WRITING
14.
HAS BEEN SUBJECT OF CONTROVERSY FOR OVER 100 YRS
15.
BOTH ACTIVE SOCIAL REFORMERS
16.
WHO WORKED FOR ALL GOOD CAUSES OF DAY
17.
THEY WROTE TOGETHER ESSAYS ON SEX EQUALITY
a.
THEY STATED LAW WHICH IS TO BE OBSERVED BY BOTH
SHOULD SURELY BE MADE BY BOTH
b.
MILLS ESPOUSED VERY ADVANCED & RADICAL IDEAS
ABOUT
(1)
STATUS OF WOMEN
(2)
MARRIAGE & DIVORCE LAWS
(3)
RIGHT OF WOMEN TO EDUCATION
(4)
& RIGHT FOR WOMEN TO VOTE
(a)
ATTEMPTED TO GET THROUGH PARLIAMENT
WOMAN SUFFRAGE
18.
THE SUBJECTION OF WOMEN
19.
CO-AUTHORED WITH HIS STEP-DAUGHTER
20.
YET IT IS AGREED THAT IS DOUBTFUL THAT SUBJECTION OF
WOMEN WOULD EVER HAD BEEN WRITTEN IF IT WERE NOT FOR
MILL'S 28 YEAR RELATIONSHIP WITH HARRIET
a.
MILL ARGUED THAT MALE DOMINANCE OF WOMEN
CONSTITUTED FLAGRANT ABUSE OF POWER
b.
HE MAINTAINED THAT FEMALE INEQUALITY
(1)
SINGLE RELIC OF OLD WORLD OF THOUGHT &
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
15
PRACTICE EXPLODED IN EVERYTHING ELSE,
VIOLATED THE PRINCIPLE OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS &
HINDERED THE PROGRESS OF HUMANITY
ENFRANCHISEMENT OF WOMEN
a.
HARRIET TAYLOR MILL
b.
IT IS AN AXIOM OF ENGLISH FREEDOM THAT TAXATION
AND REPRESENTATION SHOULD BE CO-EXTENSIVE. EVEN
UNDER THE LAWS WHICH GIVE THE WIFE'S PROPERTY TO
THE HUSBAND, THERE ARE MANY UNMARRIED WOMEN
WHO PAY TAXES. IT IS ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL
DOCTRINES OF THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION, THAT ALL
PERSONS SHOULD BE TRIED BY THEIR PEERS; YET WOMEN,
WHENEVER TRIED, ARE TRIED BY MALE JUDGES & A MALE
JURY. TO FOREIGNERS THE LAW ACCORDS THE PRIVILEGE
OF CLAIMING THAT HALF THE JURY SHOULD BE
COMPOSED OF THEMSELVES; NO SO TO WOMEN
HER REMARKS ON EMPLOYMENT & WAGES
a.
LETS GIVE BOTH MALES & FEMALES LOWER WAGES
b.
THUS WOMEN WOULD BE A PARTNER NOT A SERVANT
IT IS AGREEABLE TO THEM THAT MEN SHOULD LIVE FOR THEIR
OWN SAKE, WOMEN FOR THE SAKE OF MEN
SELFISHNESS IS PROMOTED BY INEQUALITY
FOR IF PREFERENCE BE NATURAL. THERE CAN BE NO NECESSITY
FOR ENFORCING IT BY LAW
a.
RE WOMEN'S SUBJECTION