The Feminist Movement During The Romantic Era

The language and behavior that was used and expected outside of the house was expected to be very formal and extremely proper. The only social activities that were appropriate for women to attend were the ones that raised little or no approval from the men in the society. When women attended a public event with their husbands, they were expected to display obedience and respect to all of the people they confronted. Faithfulness and loyalty were expected to be given to all of the people that were important to the women throughout their lives.(“Women”) If the women were attending something in the town square, they were expected to have a stand where they sold fruits or breads, spun wool, and threaded silk for the other town members.

As time progressed, the roles of men and women were more defined by what usefulness they had and what society found appropriate. Women were not allowed to obtain education, travel, or go out in public

Women weren't allowed to go to school or act in plays (Davis 91). “Women had little rights and were considered property of their father or husband and not as their own person” (Davis 90). Rich women that had servants spent their time gossiping to one another and playing cards (Davis 91).

Women, especially mothers, were considered inferior to their male counterparts. They were unable to hold property and had their husbands take full control over all her negotiations etc.

Back then women were not allowed to speak as often as they would have liked to. They were expected to be caregivers, have and raise children, and do household duties such as cleaning and cooking for the family. Basically that was a women's typical role, men were constantly seen as being way above women, so therefore they would always be the ones who commanded or had the final word in what would be done. Women were seen as passive and weak, and not as able to accomplish physically or mentally all that men

The stereotypical woman was expected to serve all men, especially her husband. Being that woman's rights were extremely restricted, women were susceptible to losing ownership of their wages and property, especially once they were married.

The women were to be passive and obedient to their husbands. Women were looked to be inferior to men, which lead to scientific sexism later. Not only were women physically inferior , they were intellectually inferior. They would obey their husbands no matter what. If the man asked her to do something she would do it.

Women were supposed to be seen and not heard. They cared for the home, their husband, and their children. Anything outside of those 3 areas stumbled upon by women were frowned against. Such as politics, jobs, and education. They were supposed to always submit to the will of their husbands without regards to their own feelings or thoughts. If they did not, which they rarely did, men were allowed to beat their wives. Common law gave way to the 'Rule of Thumb ' that stated that it was a husband 's right to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb and was often done and was normal. They could be beaten as if they were children or animals, not a fellow peer. It is in this rule that clearly illustrates men 's superiority over women. Women were not equal and were thought of as less than, fragile and weak. They were property, just like the land. Women barely had any rights, and in the eyes of the dominant male figures, that is the way God intended it to be. Divorces were rarely executed and if they were, in some towns the women were cut off and shunned upon. They also couldn 't keep custody of their children if they got one. The idea of family was very important. In

During this period, the attitude towards women gradually changed. For quite a long period of time, the important roles women played were ignored. In the society, they were viewed as the weaker gender. Women were easily related to the roles such as taking care of the family, childbearing and raising the children. It was considered as their natural job. As a result, morality was largely based along gender lines and responsibilities towards others instead of being focused on the culture of symbols, individual values and ideas. Materialism was largely used to construct gender aspects. Isecke (33) notes that

“The married women were expected to jump up and run home the moment her husband caught a cold or the children came home”. Women were supposed to be independent but they were always in charge of the family. Women had to take care of the household jobs and the men were supposed to

The Romantic Period built an environment where women were painted with flowery diction (Wollstonecraft, 216) and were incapable of independence. The Rights of Woman became a crucial topic, particularly in poetry which allowed women the freedom of expression. Accordingly, during the early eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, women writers did not need the prop of their male contemporaries like suggested. Evidently, women were able, successful, and professional writers in their own right. In fact, women often influenced male writers (Dustin, 42). Both Mary Wollstonecraft and Anna Letitia Barbauld are evidence that women did not need to rely on their male peers to become successful poets. Consequently, many poets took inspiration from them (Dustin, 32). In The Rights of Woman and Vindication of the Rights of Woman, Anna Letitia Barbauld and Mary Wollstonecraft had contrasting ideas. Barbauld’s The Rights of Woman was a documented reaction towards Wollstonecraft’s extremely controversial Vindication. Henceforth, both indicate a separate message for the Rights of the Woman. Assumedly, Barbauld misinterpreted Wollstonecraft and readings of The Rights of Woman in the twenty-first century appear antifeminist as a result.

For instance, men had many rights over women including obtaining an education. Women were subsidiary and began to work towards gaining more rights than taking care of household needs and motherhood (Puchner 7). For example, Mary Wollstonecraft and Olympe de Gouges were a few authors that became known for their works during this movement. Both women wrote excerpts to help women gain privileges and equality (Puchner 45 & 551). Wollstonecraft argued that marriage was the same level at prostitution and unequal rights in education led women to feel as though they were slaves that had to submit to their husbands. Although many of her ideas were rejected during her life, she became known as the founder of feminism (Puchner 45). On the other hand, de Gouges was outspoken about ending slavery and the rights of unwed mothers (Puchner 551) during the French Revolution (Mian). She believed all women should have freedom and be able to speak publicly about issues (Puchner 551). To continue, women began to go to salons to gain insight on other women’s beliefs and gain support of their own ideas

Being a female restricted women from the rights that they wished to acquire. Women were viewed as midwives and child bearers rather than politicians and scientists. Inheritance of money and land was only passed down to the males of a family rather than the females

Women during this time were severely belittled by men. They were not seen to be on the same level as men and due to this they were treated unequally. There were several advertisements that portrayed women as housewives and if they were not married they were seen to only be capable of jobs such as teachers, nurses, or secretaries. It was a necessity for woman to always look presentable and to quickly have a husband and then have children. There were many limitations on women, because men saw them as not having the same potential as them. Women were expected to take one path, and that is the life as a housewife(Tavaana). Women were spending an average of about fifty-five hours a week doing domestic chores alone. Women were basically becoming

Feminist role models are not limited to queens and rulers, but can also be found in women who were simple citizens. Although she was not a queen, Mary Wollstonecraft knew who she was. Wollstonecraft endured a childhood with an abusive father who favored one of her brothers over her. At a young age, she was exposed to men with a negative connotation and tried to protect her mother from a man’s abuse. She went on to write about equality and sexism in A Vindication of the Rights of Women and other