Reader Response #1

Between 1837 and 1901 was the Victorian Era, this was a time when big dresses, fashionable outfits and extravagant life styles were popular. However, this was also a time for drastic social and dynamic change. Traditionally, women were married off to a pre-arranged man. This was not only a unity of two people, but two families. In exchange for marrying his daughter, the father would pay the man’s family with riches he possessed. This dowry would include anything from livestock and land to houses and silver. The richer the family of the bride, the bigger the dowry. Although, it wasn’t just the riches that were important, the daughter had to be what was considered ideal at the time. A wife was no more than property, they were expected to sing, do crafts and practice faithfulness. Women were something to be seen and not heard.

One of the more common traits that were part of a women’s daily activities during this time was the ability to sing. In the poem Lady of Shalott it states “they heard her sing her last song, The Lady of Shalott.” From this we can only assume that she sung more songs before her last. This infers that she usually sings, making her more desirable. Along with singing, women took part in crafts such as weaving. Again this was mentioned in The Lady of Shalott within the lines “And so she weaveth steadily, And little other care hath she.” Through these lines we find that weaving is done quietly and easily, providing entertainment for hours of loneliness. Women participated in a wide variety of crafts in order to keep themselves occupied for long hours left alone.

Being faithful and committed to one’s husband is a treasured trait. Both the poem My Last Duchess and Porphyria’s Lover covered these traits with great emphasize. In the poem My Last Duchess a constant theme was brought up of faithfulness. Through lines such as “How such a glance came there; so, not the first” and “too soon made glad, to easily impressed” we find resentment towards her friendliness towards other men. The husband perceived here positive attitude as being unfaithful, thus having her killed. In contrast “Porphyria’s Lover” shows her commitment to her lover. This is shown in the line “at last I knew Porphyria worshipped me: surprise” it is known that she was committed to him, or in other senses worshipped him. Women were expected to be fully committed to their husbands, while the men were applauded for sleeping with multiple women outside of their marriage. Compared to present day, a double standard has always been quietly sitting aside.

“Only, this time my shoulder bore her head which droops upon it still:” accurately describes the last heavily desired trait among Victorian women, being seen but not heard. Women were no more than property to show off a man’s wealth. They were dressed in large, extravagant gowns, covered in jewelry and hair piled high. A man would much rather prefer his wife dead oppose to being vocal. As a result, many women had their picture hung high on the wall so that the new wife could admire the old one.

The Victorian Era was a turning point in history for women. It served to change fashion, society and relationship dynamics. Women became more equal in society and slowly began their excursion into the workplace. Compared to today, women were the background in any household and replaceable. It can be assumed that without the struggles in the Victorian Era our society would still be as un-equal as it was.