Roles Of Women In Marriages In The 1800's

Jane Austen provides her readers with insight into marriage and English society within the 1800’s. In Emma, the story establishes the idea that society could not function without marriage and how the institution of marriage defined one’s social status.

During the early 1800s, marriage was seen as a fortification of wealth and power through the unification of two families instead of a declaration of endearment, as reflected through the materialistic marriage customs in the Antebellum South. Generally, a man’s parents designated a future spouse for their son, based off of a woman’s familial ties and financial stature, due to the economic ramifications that the marriage had upon each party involved (O’Neil). Although financial characteristics of the bride’s family were primarily the deciding factor, men typically prefered to marry a compliant woman with “piety, purity, submissiveness and domesticity” (Fontin), considering that the gender roles at the time denounced women with ambitious or assertive

Women's lives and furthermore role in the public eye has changed radically during 1800s. The significance behind females was adjusted and affected within the nineteenth century in the political, economic, and social domains. Despite the fact that their social roles were not altered much, the progressivism, liberalism, and reforms of the period as well as impacts of Industrialization awarded women a considerably more critical role in the public arena and society as a whole. Within the social realm, their role differentiated in the nineteenth century, yet women were still to be subservient to men regardless.

Men and women back in the 1800’s had very different rob roles compared to the job roles both genders have now in this day and age. Men in the 1800’s had to do more of the physically demanding jobs such as having to build houses, crafting tools and milled flour. While on the other hand the females had to do more of the dainty jobs such as daily house chores eg cooking and cleaning, looking after children, teaching and sewing. Many women were starting to realise that they deserved to have the same political rights as men and that they should be able to vote just like men do too. Women believed that if they were given the same chances and education as men they would be able to achieve just as much as men do if not even better things.

With time passing by quickly everyday, the modern day era contrasts the Victorian Era in technology as well as the way women were treated. Women have been working all their life. Whether it was taking care of their children or doing chores, it was still a job which was done without pay. During the 19th century many women were still looked down upon for getting a job. In the modern era, it is more acceptable for a women to take on a higher position job such as becoming a manager at a store. Even though many poeple in the 1800’s can not imagine their lives with the technology that is available in the 21st century, there is a unique aspect of how Mrs.Linde had stepped up to the plate after asking for a job The power that men have came from money,

Marriage has been portrayed as many things throughout the years. In the short stories, The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin and A Jury of Her Peers by Susan Glaspell both portray marriage, and how it does not always bring happiness. Each story was written by a married woman in the 1800s, this could reveal and interrupt how the lives of a married woman were in their time period. In each story, the main character is woman being overpowered by her husband, then when they find out they could be ‘free’ a sudden sigh of relief comes to mind. Only to be either be mislead or to feel trapped again. The authors Kate Chopin and Susan

In life especially, 2,000 years ago, there was a path that women were expected to take. Marriage being the number one decision and path they were supposed to endure. Today, women role in society has changed tremendously since the 1800s. Women are now a little more equal to men. In Chopin, Kate. The Story of an Hour and Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Birth-mark, two stories about gender role and marriages, show how it was like in the 1800s. Their opinion of marriage was correct even though somethings were flawed.

During the time period of the 1800s in England, not only was the economic situation different but the social norms were differently. Jane Austen depicts this greatly in her novel pride and prejudice, not only was the social classes a big deal, but the marriage between families was a bigger deal. Throughout the novel many of the characters encounter this problem of, love in marriage or money in marriage, and many of the families and females within this time period choice money in marriage. The author Jane Austen feels that the idea of marring for money rather than love is preposterous and expresses this through the character Elizabeth

Men and women who lived in Norway during the 1800’s both were restricted to specific roles in and outside of the household. However, rarely in the 1800’s did Victorian men and women share the same responsibilities. If they did, you may have seen the “women working alongside husbands and brothers in the family business” (Hughes, Gender roles in the 19th century). This makes women seem as if they are compared to men as “physically weaker” during the time period of the Victorian era (Hughes, Gender roles in 19th century). Also, this demonstrates how women supported men and built them up so that men could fully use all of their capabilities to be successful at their jobs. Without this supporting system underlying the men, their businesses may have

Their limited education consisted of needlework, fine handwriting, singing, dancing, playing piano, and reading (3). Marriage at this time was the only thing that could give a woman any sense of security. If their fathers were to die, it was custom that only the eldest son could inherit the money and property. Unfortunately, if the family did not have a male son the land would be given to the closet male relative, which left the women in a very delicate position. Austen show’s readers this aspect of her society by having the Bennet sisters in the same situation. Without a male sibling their land and home will be entailed to a Mr. Collins. If Mr. Bennet were to die, his five daughters and his wife would be left homeless or at the charity of others because Mr. Collins would not have it in his heart to let them reside in the house with him. Their only way to escape this fate would be to get married. However, there was many obstacles that middle class young women had to deal with that kept young suitors uninterested. One was their social station. The society of this time was so stratified that even one class could be broken down into more distinctions of rank (2). The people did not often marry outside of their social rank, which left middle class women with middle class men. Unfortunately, money also played a big part in the determination of whether

In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen introduces the major thematic concept of marriage and financial wealth. Throughout the novel, Austen depicts various relationships that exhibit the two recurring themes. Set during the regency period, the perception of marriage revolves around a universal truth. Austen claims that a single man “must be in want of a wife.” Hence, the social stature and wealth of men were of principal importance for women. Austen, however, hints that the opposite may prove more exact: a single woman, under the social limitations, is in want of a husband. Through this speculation, Austen acknowledges that the economic pressure of social acceptance serves as a foundation for a proper marriage.

In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen strongly approaches the topic of women’s rights through the way the women act in the novel, and how they are treated by other men. During this time, women were supposed to watch over their children while the husbands were able to work and bring in the income to support the family’s needs. They were unable to divorce, and needed to devote their lives to making their men happy. If a woman was to have sex before marriage, she was chastised; however, men didn’t receive much judgement for participating in the same act. (Mercado, Young) In the novel, the Bennett family consists of the two parents, and five daughters: Jane, Lizzy, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. Throughout the novel, Mrs. Bennett makes it clear to the daughters that they must marry into wealth. When Mr. Bingley, a wealthy man, arrives in town, Mrs. Bennett tells Mr. Bennett to introduce them immediately. She is extremely delighted when Mr. Bingley shows interest in Jane. She is also overjoyed when Mr. Darcy, who is extremely wealthy, proposes to Lizzy. Similarly, Charlotte Lucas, Lizzy’s best friend, marries Mr. Collins for his money, even though she has no feelings of

In Pride and Prejudice Author Jane Austen claims that marriage should be between a man and women who love each other equally. Austen's disgust of Marriage and decorum in British culture is written through the eyes of main the main character in Pride and Prejudice, Miss Elizabeth Bennett. It is sad to think that marriage could be bought or in Elizabeth Bennett’s case not afforded. Marriage shouldn’t be the only measure of worth for women. Someone should not feel “repugnance” for a marriage due to situation.

Most of the women don’t work, and their main responsibility is getting married to a wealthy husband. Marriage was one of the most important things during this time because, who they married resulted in what kind of life they’d have. If they didn’t get married, the woman would have to depend on her family to support her. Another option for an unmarried women was to become a governess. One major quote from the book that shows the importance of marriage is, “It is a truth universally acknowledge, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” This quote shows that single men need to marry because, that was what they did back then. (Pride and Prejudice)

Jane Austen’s well-known novel, Pride and Prejudice, discussed multiple social themes in the 19th century. Austen mainly criticized marriage during her era, when she says that, “it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” (Austen 3). As she explains that it was valuable to women since it provided them with security and a social title. The author explored the diverse motives behind matrimony in her time period by using a humorous and romantic plot to discuss the social issues. For instance, Charlotte Lucas’s unreasonable marriage to Mr. Collins is a vital example of how women needed to secure a future and attain social status. To conclude, Lydia Bennet’s meaningless marriage to George Wickham shows that entering the marriage estate could have also been for mainly financial purposes. Contrastingly, Jane Bennet, the heroine’s older sister, marries Charles Bingley for love, security, and a social ranking. On the other hand, Elizabeth Bennet marries Fitzwilliam Darcy after months of misunderstandings and romantic drama for none other than true love. Thus, Austen uses her leading characters’ marriages in Pride and Prejudice to exhibit the various attitudes and reasons for marrying in the 19th century. (Lane 2015)