The representation of women in early 18th century England

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British
Cover of the book The representation of women in early 18th century England by Claudia Wipprecht, GRIN Verlag
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Claudia Wipprecht ISBN: 9783638812849
Publisher: GRIN Verlag Publication: June 13, 2007
Imprint: GRIN Verlag Language: English
Author: Claudia Wipprecht
ISBN: 9783638812849
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Publication: June 13, 2007
Imprint: GRIN Verlag
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,3, University of Erfurt (Philosophische Fakultät), course: The Rise of English Journalism in the Early 18th Century, 4 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: I) The first half of the 18th century The important essay by John Locke Essay concerning human understanding (1690) made an exceptionally high impact in the 18th century. His rejection of Descartes' 'innate ideas' constituted the basis for the discussion about abilities and rights of women in the 18th century. A.R. Humphreys noted: 'Throughout the century a skirmish went on between conservatives who argued for the grand principle of subordination and progressives, who, guided by the clear light of reason, contended for woman's rational and social equality.'1 The married woman was considered to have neither rights nor property due to the fact that with the marriage all her property exchanged automatically to her husband. The ideal of marriage in the 18th century is described by W.L. Blease: ' ... the ideal of marriage had been brought to its lowest possible level [...] it emphasized the sexual side of the connection, and almost entirely disregarded the spiritual.'2 The average age for marrying rested with 17 years, which was the reason that most young women could not satisfy their positions as mothers. The only profession women could have was that of a wife and mother; as Blease said 'A respectable woman was nothing but the potential mother of children.'3. However, there was the problem of a surplus of women. Some women had the possibility to teach children, which was not very high regarded. Most women, however, had only the possibility to prostitute themselves which was a crucial problem of this times (Einhoff, 1980: 35). Terms like 'the fair sex', 'the soft sex' and 'the gentle sex' designated the relationship of the sexes; the weak and tender woman needs to be protected by the strong man, which disguised the reality of absolute subordination of most women. It is also remarkable that there were only a few legal divorces which can be interpreted as a sign for the tacit sanction of adultery, the general standing of the value of marriage and the hopelessness of a divorced woman without rights and financial resources.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,3, University of Erfurt (Philosophische Fakultät), course: The Rise of English Journalism in the Early 18th Century, 4 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: I) The first half of the 18th century The important essay by John Locke Essay concerning human understanding (1690) made an exceptionally high impact in the 18th century. His rejection of Descartes' 'innate ideas' constituted the basis for the discussion about abilities and rights of women in the 18th century. A.R. Humphreys noted: 'Throughout the century a skirmish went on between conservatives who argued for the grand principle of subordination and progressives, who, guided by the clear light of reason, contended for woman's rational and social equality.'1 The married woman was considered to have neither rights nor property due to the fact that with the marriage all her property exchanged automatically to her husband. The ideal of marriage in the 18th century is described by W.L. Blease: ' ... the ideal of marriage had been brought to its lowest possible level [...] it emphasized the sexual side of the connection, and almost entirely disregarded the spiritual.'2 The average age for marrying rested with 17 years, which was the reason that most young women could not satisfy their positions as mothers. The only profession women could have was that of a wife and mother; as Blease said 'A respectable woman was nothing but the potential mother of children.'3. However, there was the problem of a surplus of women. Some women had the possibility to teach children, which was not very high regarded. Most women, however, had only the possibility to prostitute themselves which was a crucial problem of this times (Einhoff, 1980: 35). Terms like 'the fair sex', 'the soft sex' and 'the gentle sex' designated the relationship of the sexes; the weak and tender woman needs to be protected by the strong man, which disguised the reality of absolute subordination of most women. It is also remarkable that there were only a few legal divorces which can be interpreted as a sign for the tacit sanction of adultery, the general standing of the value of marriage and the hopelessness of a divorced woman without rights and financial resources.

More books from GRIN Verlag

Cover of the book Der Wohlfahrtsstaat - eine gerechte Institution? Eine Betrachtung des WFs anhand der Theorie von John Rawls by Claudia Wipprecht
Cover of the book Schatten in der Bibel by Claudia Wipprecht
Cover of the book The 'bra war' by Claudia Wipprecht
Cover of the book Gesundheitsschutz nach Art 35 der Europäischen Grundrechte-Charta by Claudia Wipprecht
Cover of the book Darstellung der Frau in der englischen Zeitschrift 'Company' by Claudia Wipprecht
Cover of the book Täufertum in Tirol by Claudia Wipprecht
Cover of the book Mindestlohn für das Praktikum. Chance oder Problem? Unterrichtspraktische Prüfung für gymnasiale Oberstufe by Claudia Wipprecht
Cover of the book Der Online-Chat. Ein Element der computervermittelten Kommunikation by Claudia Wipprecht
Cover of the book Zukunftswohnen für Senioren: Derzeitige Marketingansätze für zukünftige Wohnformen für Senioren am Beispiel der geplanten Senioren-Wohngruppe in Kloten by Claudia Wipprecht
Cover of the book Bauchmuskeltraining für Leistungsfußballer by Claudia Wipprecht
Cover of the book Live-8-Konzerte und G-8-Gipfel by Claudia Wipprecht
Cover of the book Soziales Lernen - ein kurzer Überblick by Claudia Wipprecht
Cover of the book Hydrokolloide zur Wundbehandlung by Claudia Wipprecht
Cover of the book Pläne der Bundesregierung zur Erweiterung der Kompetenzen des Bundeskriminalamtes by Claudia Wipprecht
Cover of the book Arbeitsmigration und Politik von 1871-1933 by Claudia Wipprecht
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy