Perception of a Woman

Perception of a True Woman

The” cult of true womanhood 1820-1860” an article by Barbara Welter, identifies the definition and perception of what a “true woman” really is. The author begins the article with how a woman was viewed by men in the nineteenth century, as a hostage in the home that men were able to look back at and come home to. While she quickly adds in that we live in a society with changing values, a true woman is a true woman no matter where she is and where she is from. Whoever decides to defy the components that made up a true womanhood was shunned as an enemy of the god of civilization and the republic. The components and attributes that made up a true woman was defined by her piety, purity, submissiveness and domesticity. If all components were present, true womanhood would spell out mother, daughter, sister, wife and woman ; which all led to a promise of happiness and power. Piety was the main attribute of a woman’s virtue or the starting point of her strength. It was said that young men who were looking for their other half were encouraged to search first for piety beyond else in a woman and that all else would follow after. Religion was another factor that was heavily covered by the author as she states that woman had a celestial right, a gift of god, and nature. Women were also viewed as a figure that could purify passionless love that could bring a sinning man back to Christ. It was said that some women viewed religion as a kind of tranquilizer for the many young devoted girls and that it was better to “pray than to think”. The main reason why religion was viewed as so important was because it did not take a woman away from her duties, “proper sphere”, or her home ; unlike other activities that women would engage in such as the different societies and movements, church work would not influence her to be less domestic or submissive. In the many seminars that were available to women, the main things taught were that women needed