In the 19th century women and men were not equal, women were the weaker sex, inferior, while men were seen as superior. A home maker in the 19th century was seen to be the “angel of the house” as she would support her husband, care for the children, and carry out the domestic work. The “Angel in the House” myth represents the ideal woman as obedient, submissive and above all, willing to sacrifice her own happiness for that of her husband (Angel in the House, Weebly, 2014). Women would become property of their husbands once married, they would take their husbands surname and fulfil their stereotypical roles. If the wives did not fulfil their household duties their husbands would divorce them due to not looking after their needs properly (BBC Bitesize, 2020). Even though many shared the view that women should not work, many women before marriage, would work in textile factories or in coal mining, although, any earning made would go to the husband once married, as the men would manage all the money and spending.
It appears society was in favour of men compared to women; this was evident in all areas of society. An example of this is in politics and government, this was supposedly only mattering for the men. Many people though that women did not have the brain capacity to understand such things and were excluded from the voting process, this meant that women could not vote, no matter who they were. (BBC Bitesize, 2020) However, “the Angel in the House” was now more than ever becoming a myth rather than reality. Women began to break the stereotypical mould of the perfect wife. Half-way through the 19th century, women could divorce an abusive husband, before this, women would not have been able to divorce their husband for any reason.
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In terms of politics, women began to protest their rights to vote. The protests from women and the support from male key figures, things began to gradually change for women. In 1857, the Matrimonial Causes Act gave women the right to divorce their husband, for reasons other than abuse (BBC Bitesize, 2020). In 1881, the Married Women’s Property Act gave married women the rights over her own earnings and property and then in 1894, the Local Government Act gave married women the right to vote in local elections (BBC Bitesize, 2020). The merge of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies led by Millicent Fawcett, believed in peaceful lobbying and campaigning. This union gathered to give women the power they needed to win votes and be of the same equality as men. Those against women fighting for their rights believed that women should remain at home and not become involved in matters that did not affect them directly, and that they would be accepted as advisors when needed. Further on, in 1918, the Representation of the People Act had given the vote to all men over the age of 21 and women over the age of 30 who were householders or at least married to a householder (BBC Bitesize, 2020). Then, in 1928, women over the age of 21 were given the same voting rights as men, but its obvious that women had to fight for this luxury as it was basically a birth right for men. However, to conclude, women were never obedient from the beginning they fought for a better life instead of serving their life for men, this shows that there never really was “the Angel of the House” and it was in fact more of a myth than reality.
The “Pro-women’s suffrage poster, c.1912” pictured above shows the differences between men and women in the fight they both had to being able to vote. The poster was designed and published by the Suffrage Atelier, the poster contrasts “worthy” women, mayors, teachers, mothers, doctors, nurses, factory hands denied the vote while “unworthy” male convicts, lunatics, white slave traders, drunkards and those unfit for service who might have the right to vote (artsandculture, 1912). The women arguing for suffrage took to the streets by 1912, to convince other Americans, mostly men, that their cause had merit and support. This source backs up our previous question, it shows the change in laws and the fact that women had to fight for access to voting, rather than sitting at home and acting the stereotypical “Angel of the House”, showing it was more a myth than reality. The picture signifies what women could have excelled in, such as careers in nursing or teaching, if they had been able to vote.
On the other hand, it shows what men turn out to be while having the access to voting, such as criminals, drunks or unfit for many jobs. It is a clear reflection of the inequalities between men and women in the 19th century. The “Angel of the House” was probably a reality for some women before the 19th century, however, from the 19th century onwards it was more myth than anything, as that’s when things began to change for women. The change in divorce laws, enabling women to divorce their husbands and the movements within politics and the government, slowly giving women more freedom to vote and slowing changing women’s lives. The poster sides with women, encouraging others to support the change in the women’s movement. It shows the positive impact women can have in society while putting the men down for thinking they are more superior compared to women, when in fact, they think women can do a better job in running society and taking care of civilians.
A woman who was seen fighting for women’s rights also relates to this source, as she fought until women had the right to vote and make a difference. Millicent Garrett Fawcett was a suffragist who campaigned for women’s suffrage from 1866 until the passing of the Equal Franchise Act in 1928 when women over 21 gained equal voting rights with men (Thought Co, 2020). She played a part in enabling women to live better lives, because of this, women went on to plan careers and manage their own finances. This proves once again that, “The Angel of the House”, turned to be more myth than reality as most women weren’t living up the typical “home-maker” role. Even though the source backs up the statement of the “The Angel of the House”, some women still voluntarily chose the home-maker role, even today in the 21st century, therefore, the statement isn’t completely untrue as there is still evidence of the so-called “Angel in the House”, its just not as significant as it was in the 18th-19th century.
Although, I state how it is more a myth in 19th century, which it was, compared to reality. The 19th century was infamous in starting the women’s movement and giving them the chance to vote, therefore, there was anything but traditions, the 19th century changed everything for both men and women, as it was a start to equality (BBC Bitesize, 2020). This source analysis has provided information that helped the structure of my essay, and provide the necessary information, through a picture, to help prove that the “Angel in the House” is more a myth than a reality. However, it may be slightly biased due to the fact a woman created this poster, fighting for women’s rights, therefore, they were not in the favour of male dominance. I believe this is a reliable source as the poster is shown in the Museum of London, therefore is legitimate.
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