Daily Life of Victorian Women

(Paperback, NIPPOD)

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Description

Explores the complexities of the lived experiences of Victorian women in the home, the workplace, and the empire as well as the ideals of womanhood and femininity that developed during the 19th century. Contrary to popular misconception, many Victorian women performed manual labor for wages directly alongside men, had political voice before women's suffrage, and otherwise contributed significantly to society outside of the domestic sphere. Daily Life of Victorian Women documents the varied realities of the lives of Victorian women; provides in-depth comparative analysis of the experiences of women from all classes, especially the working class; and addresses changes in their lives and society over time. The book covers key social, intellectual, and geographical aspects of women's lives, with main chapters on gender and ideals of womanhood, the state, religion, home and family, the body, childhood and youth, paid labor and professional work, urban life, and imperialism.

Reviews

The writing is clear and should be accessible to college students or students in an advanced high-school class. Black-and-white photographs and images dot the text. The volume concludes with a listing of suggestions for further reading and an index. Recommended for most academic and larger public libraries. * Booklist *
The text provides worthwhile insights into what it was like to be a woman during Victorian England. * ARBA *
Murdoch offers a new perspective on the lives of Victorian women. . . . A worthwhile addition to public and academic libraries. * Library Journal *

Author Bio

Lydia Murdoch is associate professor of history and former director of the Women's Studies Program at Vassar College.