Angel in the house

Definition

The 'angel in the house' is a Victorian-era ideal that describes the role of women as self-sacrificing, nurturing, and devoted to their families, embodying virtues like purity, piety, and domesticity. This concept was a dominant cultural expectation during the Victorian period, emphasizing the importance of women as moral guardians and caretakers within the home, ultimately shaping societal views on gender roles and the family structure.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The term 'angel in the house' originates from a poem by Coventry Patmore published in 1854, which idealized women as nurturing figures within the household.
2. This ideal was deeply rooted in Victorian values, where women were expected to uphold moral standards and create a serene domestic environment.
3. While many women embodied this ideal, others resisted it, seeking education and independence, which sparked early feminist movements.
4. The concept reinforced limitations on women's rights, contributing to societal pressures that discouraged them from pursuing careers or personal ambitions outside of domestic life.
5. Critics of this ideal argued that it restricted women's identities and roles to mere caregivers, highlighting the need for more progressive views on gender equality.

Review Questions

• How did the concept of 'angel in the house' shape societal expectations for women's behavior during the Victorian era?
  • The 'angel in the house' shaped societal expectations by creating a clear standard for women's roles centered around selflessness, morality, and domesticity. Women were expected to prioritize their families' needs above their own aspirations, fostering an environment where they were seen primarily as moral guides and caregivers. This expectation reinforced a narrow definition of femininity that emphasized submission and sacrifice, influencing how society viewed women's contributions both at home and in public life.
• Discuss the impact of the 'angel in the house' ideal on early feminist movements during the late 19th century.
  • The 'angel in the house' ideal became a focal point for early feminist movements that challenged traditional gender roles. Activists argued against the restrictive expectations that confined women to domestic spheres and emphasized the importance of education and career opportunities. By exposing the limitations imposed by this ideal, feminists sought to redefine women's identities beyond motherhood and homemaking, advocating for rights that would empower them to participate fully in society.
• Evaluate how literary representations of women during the Victorian period both reinforced and contested the 'angel in the house' ideal.
  • Literary representations of women in Victorian literature often mirrored the 'angel in the house' ideal by portraying female characters as devoted wives and mothers who embodied virtue. However, many authors also created complex female protagonists who resisted these confines, showcasing their struggles for autonomy and self-identity. Works by authors like George Eliot or Charlotte Brontë presented women grappling with societal expectations while pursuing their own desires. This dual representation allowed literature to both reinforce traditional gender roles while simultaneously providing a critique of them, illustrating an evolving conversation about women's place in society.

Related terms

Victorian Gender Roles: The societal norms and expectations that defined appropriate behavior and responsibilities for men and women during the Victorian era, often emphasizing strict divisions between public and private life.

Domesticity: The emphasis on home and family life as central to a woman's identity and purpose, often linked with ideals of motherhood and homemaking in the 19th century.

Cult of True Womanhood: A belief system in the 19th century that promoted four cardinal virtues for women: piety, purity, submissiveness, and domesticity, reinforcing the notion of women's roles within the home.