Essay On 19th Century American Women

Throughout the survey of this course the literature studied has given insights to the lives Americans lived in the 19th century. The course allowed for observations of regions all across America and amongst all social classes. Throughout all regions and social classes one subgroup remained in a state of oppression, held at a level beneath their counterpart, women. The roles of women during the 19th century were extremely limited compared to the vast opportunities provided to women today. This time period was not totally void of change for women, as can be observed in the selected course readings. Advancements for the rights and roles of women were made between 1850 and 1900, but close examination reveals that the advancements were miniscule in
light of the oppression many women felt in their daily lives, much of the literature from this time period reflects the ways that these women were oppressed, and their reactions to it. The 19th century looked very different for a woman compared with today. In the 19th century many women were made to feel that their purpose in life was to serve the men in their lives. The duties of husbandry fell squarely on their shoulders as their husbands worked to earn a living. The duties of husbandry included tasks such as washing, mending and making clothes, cooking and cleaning for the household, and rearing the children. Reflection upon these tasks may seem burdensome to the modern reader, but the realization deepens when considering that these tasks all had to be completed without the aid of modern technological conveniences like washing machines, dishwashers, and electricity. During this time period these tasks were necessary to function in everyday life, the injustice is not the difficulty of the work, but that it was expected of the women to carry it out, whether they were interested in running the household or not (Source ). In today’s society some women are satisfied to carry out household duties like women did for generations before them. These women find happiness in caring for their children and homes, and in some cases fail to understand the plight of their ancestors. The important thing to remember is that the women in previous centuries did not have a choice between family and career, or to find a balance of both. Educational advancements were achieved for women during the 19th century, but this only allowed for some women to achieve post-secondary education. Many of the women who sought to advance their educations were met with social backlash. Women were expected to get married and start families, not attend universities. For a woman during this time to attempt to have a career was even more taboo, these women who went against the grain are revered today, but were forced to lead lives as social outcasts during their time. By the end of the 19th century it had become possible for a woman to attend college, and even have some careers, but while it was possible, it was not accepted as appropriate. The options for women during the 19th century were very limited, for the majority of women that did not pursue a career, or higher education, they were left with two options: marry or be considered a spinster. To be a spinster, also referred to as an old maid, held just as much stigma as desiring to become an educated career woman. Many women never considered other possibilities for themselves besides marriage, but for those who did want to pursue other interests there was no way out. Many women entered into marriages against their will, and were forced to marry men that they did not have feelings for. The issue of marriage was further complicated by children, during this time there was no acceptable way to prevent pregnancies, so many women felt conflicted as mothers. Most of these women felt real love for their children, but also felt that they were tied down by them and their needs. One of the earliest references to women in this semester’s reading was Cherokee Sal, in the Luck of Roaring Camp, written by Bret Harte and published in 1868. In this story Cherokee Sal is in a terrible situation, facing childbirth as the only woman in a town full of miners. Cherokee Sal had only a small place in the story, giving birth to a little boy, before dying from complication of childbirth. The cards seemed to be stacked against this woman, she was viewed as being inferior for her race, and her gender, and there was little care given to whether she lived or died. While it is likely that not all women were viewed in as negative a light as Cherokee Sal, this story is representative of the role that many women were given in literature during this time period. After she provide the men something they could not attain on their own, her character was cast aside (reader 8-17). In stark contrast to Cherokee Sal, was Idalie Sainte Foy Mortemart des Islets, from La Grande Demoiselle, by Grace Elizabeth King, published in 1893. Idalie was a very privileged character who wanted for nothing, unitl the Civil War turned her life upside down. After losing her home and her fortune to the War Idalie was left helpless to provide for herself. A man in her position at the time would have had other possibilities, but she was left to scrape by teaching in an impoverished school, and her needy state led her into a marriage of convenience. The Civil War had atrocious effects on the nation, and the women left to continue on afterward faced great struggles. This story gives an example of a woman who held a certain standing because of her material possessions, but when those were gone she was viewed as a pitiful destitute creature that was a sad reminder of all the War had taken ( King110-115 ). The Civil War was a difficult time for many women, because the men they had been taught they needed to survive were suddenly gone, and they were left to make their own way for themselves.
My Aunt Susan, written by Harold Frederic, and published in 1892, is an example of how women had to face life alone. In this story Susan was an unmarried woman, left alone to raise her nephew. The boy narrates the story and tells of a hard working woman trying her best to provide for herself and the boy. When the boy’s father, whom he had never met, returns as a War hero, Susan’s unnoticed position in society took a sudden rise. This story was an example of a woman who was able to sufficiently provide for herself, and care for her nephew, and because she was an unmarried woman she was looked at as strange, and practically shunned from society. When a male character came into her life she was immediately of worth to people. This is an example of how women were able to take care of themselves, and could choose to marry for love, as Susan did. The issue was not that women were incapable, but that they were told by men and society that they were incapable, and they heard it so many times that they believed it (Frederic
222-232). The Minister’s Housekeeper by Harriet Beecher Stowe, published in 1872, is another example of how a woman’s life was depicted as requiring a man. Huldy, the stories main character, was described as a beautiful woman, practically the picture of 19th century perfection. Huldy was a good cook, had great knowledge of running a household and was overall a pleasant person. Huldy was also an accomplished seamstress, one of the few professions that was acceptable for women to do in that day. After the Parson’s wife died Huldy took on the duties of his household, and did a fine job of it. Even in carrying out the tasks deemed fit for a woman,