Dimity Convictions: The American Woman in the Nineteenth Century

by Barbara Welter

Book by Welter, Barbara

Genres: History, American History

230 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cult of True Womanhood is perhaps the most influential theory for early American women's history (first appearing in Welter's 1966 essay, The Cult of True Womanhood: 1820-1860). Welter used countless primary source documents (including sermons, diaries, advice books)to demonstrate the four charateriscs of "true womanhood" that early American women were expected to, and indeed did, strive to adhere to: purity, piety, domesticity and submissiveness. The private and public spheres characterized two very separate worlds (feminine versus masculine) and women were expected to keep the private sphere free from the public ills with which their husbands encountered daily. This work remains a must-read for students of nineteenth century American history (especially women's history).

[Mary Catelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of essays, ringing changes on the theme of the Cult of True Womanhood, the most influence being the essay on it. Covers such subjects as medical treatment and detective fiction. A bit cherry-picked in sources but the stuff covered did exist.