A Widening Sphere: Changing Roles of Victorian Women

by Martha Vicinus (Editor)

First published in 1977, this book is a companion volume to "Suffer and Be Still. "It looks at the widening sphere of women s activities in the Victorian age and testifies to the dual nature of the legal and social constraints of the period: on the one hand, the ideal of the perfect lady and the restrictive laws governing marriage and property posed limits to women s independence; on the other hand, some Victorian women chose to live lives of great variety and complexity. By uncovering new data and reinterpreting old, the contributors in this volume debunk some of the myths surrounding the Victorian woman and alter stereotypes on which many of today s social customs are based.

Genres: Nonfiction

346 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1977

About the author

Martha Vicinus is an American scholar of English literature and Women's studies. She serves as the Eliza M. Mosher Distinguished University Professor of English, Women's Studies, and History at the University of Michigan.

Reviews

[Daniela Cervantes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very telling of the roles implemented upon Victorian women and how they were able to break free from them. I recommend this book for any research on Victorian female sexuality or Victorian relationships.