Skip to main content

Did men and women receive equal treatment in the nineteenth century?

First, we should say that the nineteenth century represents a very long time, and women's rights changed a lot during that period. Second, since your question does not say what country, if any, you are specifically referring to, I will address women's rights in the United States. In that country, women's rights underwent significant changes throughout the nineteenth century, though women never really received what could be called equal treatment. Early in the nineteenth century,...

First, we should say that the nineteenth century represents a very long time, and women's rights changed a lot during that period. Second, since your question does not say what country, if any, you are specifically referring to, I will address women's rights in the United States. In that country, women's rights underwent significant changes throughout the nineteenth century, though women never really received what could be called equal treatment. Early in the nineteenth century, women effectively surrendered their legal identity to their husbands when they married. They gave up their property, could not sue for divorce in most states, and were essentially regarded as "covered" legally by their husbands. Except for an early nineteenth century constitutional anomaly in New Jersey that was was closed after women sought to exploit it, women were not allowed to vote anywhere in the United States until a handful of new western states extended the franchise to women near the end of the century. Women also had fewer educational and vocational opportunities than men, worked for lower wages than men in places like textile mills (which in any case preferred to employ young girls rather than married women), and were generally expected (even if many could not afford to do so) to serve as housewives and helpmeets for their husbands. Throughout the century, however, women played a vital role in many reform movements. Acting through clubs and voluntary societies, they were leaders in the movements for the abolition of slavery, temperance and  prison and asylum reform. Late in the century, women became leaders in the Progressive movement, especially urban reform initiatives like the settlement house movement. This political activism, in fact, became the seed for a broader women's suffrage movement.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What is hyperbole in the story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his... The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him plu

How can I analyze Moon and Six Pence by Somerset Maugham?

In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of... In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of that society. His decision to e

What are some literary devices in Macbeth, Act V, Scene 1?

Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not... Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh! oh, oh! (5.1.53-55) Hyperbole - Obvious exaggeration  There is also h