Theory of Women as Angels and Monsters Theory of Liberal Feminist
another in the first place, they will naturally fall into a hierarchy. However, hierarchy is indeed important because it allows for cooperation instead of
competition between men and women .
Based on the understanding of gender stated above, gender hierarchy indeed focuses on how cultures in a society influenced the view of gender ina
hierarchical manner . As mentioned earlier, men may dominate over women in
some societies . In others, women may dominate over men.
C . Review of Related Backgrounds
Women’s Role in Victorian Era
The Victorian era when Queen Victorian reigned was between 1837 up to 1901. This period is marked by the reform act in 1832 and the extreme diversities
with the industrial reforms, cultural progress, scientific advancement on one hand and poverty and wars on the other.
According to Flanders, the Victorian era identified four classes as a part and parcel of their social structure which was the Nobility, Middle Class, Upper
Working Class and Lower Working Class. People in the respective categories were expected to remain within their class and any slight change from one class to
another was considered to be a serious offence. In all these categories, the role of the women remained unchanged. They were supposed to live a highly restrictive
life with their life centered round their husband and subsequently their children. 2003: 12
Women who belonged to the nobility class lived and enjoyed a life of luxuries. These women spent most of their time attending tea parties and balls and
the remaining time they would spend in knitting and horseback riding. Women had several attendants to look after them. They were expected to be highly
educated. Their main job was to effectively instruct the servants on what is to be done and to groom younger girls of the same class nobility to become women.
After the noble class, came the middle class. These people were not as rich as the nobles though many of the people of this class tried mingling with the noble
class people. The women belonging to this class were expected to take education, help in the family business and try to get married into the nobility.
At the close of the Victorian era, few women of this class were self employed by being a nurse or a writer. Women of the Upper-class usually got
married and had jobs and run the family. Lastly, the Under-class women, who came from extreme poverty and took up low jobs like that of prostitution,
laborers, or any activity which involves physical exertion. Unlike the Upper-class women, these women mostly remained single all their lives as they were more in
number as compared to male. The only duty cast upon a Victorian woman was to keep her husband
happy and raise her children for which they groomed right from their childhood days. The rights which the women enjoyed were similar to those which were
enjoyed by young children whereby they were not allowed to vote, sue or even own property. They had no choice but to accept all that which was already
decided for her by the society at large by way of customs.
While in America, the influence of Victorian period on the lifestyle, culture, religion and other aspects on America is addressed as the Victorian
America. According to victorian-era.org, The Civil War in America was responsible for bringing about a change in the American culture. The impact of
the Victorian culture can be clearly seen after the Civil War. Some of the popular cities with the influence of Victorian values related to the forms of the buildings
in America are Boston, Chicago, Buffalo, Albany and some areas of Brooklyn http:www.victorian-era.orgvictorian-era-america.html 20 November 2016.