1. WHAT WAS THE VICTORIAN ATTITUDE TO WOMEN?
Victorian women had few civil or political rights. A wife had to do as she was told by her husband, who was her protector and adviser. Until 1884 a wife was officially listed as one of her husband’s possessions.

2. “During the Victorian era the role of women ‘was defined largely on the basis of their appearance, and not on intellectual or occupational grounds. The ideal Victorian woman was expected to be childlike, pale and indeterminate, passive, submissive, mindless, genteel and nice.”

3. What do you find surprising about this source?
A woman should make a man’s home delightful. Their sex should ever teach them to be subordinate. Women are like children; the more they show they need looking after, the more attractive they are.
Mrs John Sandford, Woman in her Social and Domestic Character (1837). Notice that Elizabeth Poole Sandford, as she was, writes under her married name of Mrs John Sandford.

4. Women’s Rights in the 19th century
1857: Matrimonial Causes Act – a woman can divorce her husband if he beats her or commits adultery.
1882: Married Woman’s Property Act – married women allowed to own property and to keep their own earnings.
1907: women ratepayers were allowed to vote in local elections.

6. Although there had been some progress towards equality, there was still a prevailing attitude.

7. Who is Catherine Earnshaw?

8. Catherine Earnshaw
Certainly she had ways with her such as I never saw a child take up before; and she put all of us past our patience fifty times and oftener in a day: from the hour she came down-stairs till the hour she went to bed, we had not a minute's security that she wouldn't be in mischief. Her spirits were always at high-water mark, her tongue always going - singing, laughing, and plaguing everybody who would not do the same. A wild, wicked slip she was - but she had the bonniest eye, the sweetest smile, and lightest foot in the parish: and, after all, I believe she meant no harm; for when once she made you cry in good earnest, it seldom happened that she would not keep you company, and oblige you to be quiet that you might comfort her. She was much too fond of Heathcliff. The greatest punishment we could invent for her was to keep her separate from him: yet she got chided more than any of us on his account. In play, she liked exceedingly to act the little mistress; using her hands freely, and commanding her companions: she did so to me, but I would not bear slapping and ordering; and so I let her know.

9. The Ruined Maid written in 1866 but not published until 1901, is one of Hardy's most sophisticated critiques of Victorian sexuality.

10. The role of women in society: Is this the only way a lowly maid could achieve independence in Victorian Britain? Is the farm worker right to admire 'Melia? Is 'Melia a victim or in control of her own destiny?