Role Of Women In The 19Th Century

Essay, Research Paper

Role of Females

In the nineteenth century women were perceived in many different ways. Two noted nineteenth century writer were john Stuart Mill and Henrik Ibsen. Even though most of their stories were greatly different they did share the common thought that women are their own people and should be free.

Mill described women of all classes as the unwilling subjects of more powerful males. He saw a potential for social change. Mill compared the subjection of women to that of other subject classes in the history of culture. His most original contribution was his analysis of the male/female relationship and his explanation of how that relationship differed from that of master slave.

Ibsen was also deeply concerned with social problems. He explored many themes including the conflicts between husbands and wives. Ibsen wrote a classic drama of female liberation in 1879 called A Doll s House. The play is about the awakening of a middle-class woman. She is in trouble and looks to her husband for help, but when he can t help her, she realizes her meaningless role as a doll-wife . She recognizes her responsibilities and finally sees her role as a human being. This brings to life the psychological tension between male and female that Mill had analyzed earlier.

The role of the nineteenth century woman described by these two authors is clear to me. They both see women as equals to men that should be respected and given responsibilities. Without these two things women become just possessions.