Author: npage1993

For our blog, Natalie and I wanted to provide more background on the themes of the course and to delve a little deeper into these themes. The big themes that really stuck out were ruin, natural beauty, gender, and lust. For each of these themes, you will see that it is tied to several of the readings performed throughout the semester up to now. Each theme is provided with a detailed background and an overview of the main idea of that theme. We also tried to make sure that each theme had a picture to go along with it and that it truly represented how the themes in the course have been presented to us. Ruin has been depicted as something gloomy that has happened among the women of the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Tying this into the readings and the many activities of the course, this has truly been the main theme of the course. Natural beauty was a phenomenal concept in this course, and has provided us a new way and light upon which to observe art and the beauty around us. Gender is another prominent theme throughout the course. We have often times discussed the differences in the treatment of the men and women throughout the Victorian era; so we thought it pertinent to include it among the themes that we have been learning about. Finally, we have lust. Something that is strongly sought about by men and women; this theme has been found in nearly all of our readings for this course. Lust; either depicted among the “scandalous” parts of the readings or the more common interactions of the characters in our readings, it is a theme throughout. While there are smaller themes found throughout the course, we decided on lust, gender, natural beauty, and ruin to be amongst the highest and most sought after for this course.

Course Themes:

• Gender
• Lust
• Ruined Women
• Natural Beauty

Gender:

Within the course, Humanities 303, many topics are explored when debriefing the cultural context of the Victorian Era. A large proportion of the readings depict the transformation of ruin within eighteenth- and nineteenth-century arts and humanities. Gender is one that has played a significant role. Women within the Victorian era were often expected as being sweet and innocent, while pertaining to their duties in the household. While men on the other hand, were allowed to work and were encouraged to create sexual advancements. For instance, when reading Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Vivi is expected to pertain to her womanly duties by her mother. Consequently, Vivi finds herself resembling a masculine personality due to her youth. While growing up, much of Vivi’s childhood required independence with a lack of family structure. As a result, Vivi is at a loss within society. Vivi’s loss of self identity, mirrors many of women’s struggles within this time period. Gender identity frequently appears within this course in order to depict the swift change in society.

 

Lust:

Lust is a relevant theme that appears occasionally within the course reading. The Victorian era, known for controlling impulsivity, encouraged people to act privately and properly. Consequently, the readings pertaining to this time period encouraged mischief. Not to mention, many of the images provided within the course reading insinuate pre-marital sex. For example, the images Before and After demonstrate acts of adultery. Within the image, the fallen apples insinuate references towards the story of Adam and Eve. Their ruffled apparel also suggests that they were doing more than talking. Lust during the Victorian era was frowned upon, yet practiced daily.

 

                                     

 

 

Ruined Women:

Ruined women is a major theme throughout this course. The reading, “The Ruined Maid” in particular, displays a fine example of how a woman’s virginity determines her wealth. Throughout the text, O’melia, the main character explains to her friend the benefits of being ruined. Yet, once her friend enlightens her of her envy, O’melia is quick to state, “my dear—a raw country girl, such as you be, cannot quite expect that. You ain’t ruined”(Hardy). The connotation of being a prostitute may in fact seem glamorous and lavish; the aftermath is much worse. A ruined woman within the Victorian time period was extremely rebellious and scandalous. Although it served as a means to obtain money, it was truly an undesirable profession.

 

Natural Beauty:

Within reading, “ On the Picturesque” and “Sublime”, beauty is representational of the natural state in which the object has originated. Both picturesque and sublime go hand in hand in order to create beauty. Ones imperfections and flaws in the end make life itself remarkable and beautiful. Many of the readings display women in their natural and given state. Within society, this very fact may be considered ugly and unforgiving; however, this ugly truth and honesty does in fact show beauty. The image Found Drowned, greatly resembles the idea of natural beauty. The woman displayed in the image appears to have committed suicide, yet she appears beautiful by how graceful and serine she is presented. The ugly truth that lies within this image makes her stunning.

     Victorian era prostitution for some women was a means of social advancement. Prostitution enabled women of lower social standings to progress in life and stray away from the misfortunes they had been born to. In fact, prostitution developed a sense of independence for women. For example pure women, “were not allowed to have any property nor could they hold a job unless it was a servant or teacher (Estime).” With that being said, prostitution allowed women to obtain power and control over their own life. Prostitutes were allowed to pamper themselves by wearing makeup and jewelry. While on the other hand, pure women were expected to follow a separate list of guidelines. For instance, “their role was to reproduce children and maintain the house (Estime).” Although prostitutes may have sacrificed their dignity and love life; this endeavor exposed them to freedom and prosperity. The poem, “The Ruined Maid” by Thomas Hardy expresses that admiration for freedom and prosperity amongst women of that particular time period.

 Explanation:

“O ‘MELIA, my dear, this does everything crown!

Who could have supposed I should meet you in Town?


And whence such fair garments, such prosperi-ty?”

“O didn’t you know I’d been ruined?” said she

O’Melia encounters an old friend from the country who hasn’t heard that she is now a prostitute.

“You left us in tatters, without shoes or socks,


Tired of digging potatoes, and spudding up docks;


And now you’ve gay bracelets and bright feathers three!”

“Yes: that’s how we dress when we’re ruined,” said she.

O’Melia’s friend notices that she looks good now and O’Melia simply states that prostitutes have to look good for business.

“At home in the barton you said ‘thee’ and ‘thou,’


And ‘thik oon,’ and ‘theäs oon,’ and ‘t’other’; but now


Your talking quite fits ‘ee for high compa-ny!”


”Some polish is gained with one’s ruin,” said she.

Her friend from the country points out that she speaks now with clarity and class, which O’Melia finds to come with the people she works with.

“Your hands were like paws then, your face blue and bleak


But now I’m bewitched by your delicate cheek,


And your little gloves fit as on any la-dy!”

“We never do work when we’re ruined,” said she.

O’Melia appears to look like a lady with class compared to her old physical appearance, which her friend finds to be interesting.

“You used to call home-life a hag-ridden dream,


And you’d sigh, and you’d sock; but at present you seem


To know not of megrims or melancho-ly!”

“True. One’s pretty lively when ruined,” said she.

Her friends sees that O’Melia appears to be happy compared to her old life, which O’Melia explains as having authority over her own life.

“I wish I had feathers, a fine sweeping gown,


And a delicate face, and could strut about Town!”


”My dear—a raw country girl, such as you be,


Cannot quite expect that. You ain’t ruined,” said she. —Westbourne Park Villas (1866)

O’Melia’s friend wishes to live the “lavish” life of a prostitute however, O’Melia reassures her that it is not as glamorous as it appears.

 

                                 

      In conclusion, prostitutes were able to advance socially due to their appearance and attire. By acquiring money, prostitutes were able to obtain riches in which displayed signs of wealth. As a result, it was important as a prostitute to contribute to ones physical appearance in order to appeal to all classes. Prostitutes were paid differently according to social class. “Twenty pounds for working class girls between 14-18, a hundred pounds for middle class girls at the same age, and four hundred pounds for the upper class girls under the age of 12 (Estime).” Therefore, the classier the look the more business obtained; and with more business came power and authority. Prostitution may have been a dark and demeaning occupation; however, during the Victorian era it was considered to be a chance for women to take ownership of their future and prosperity.

 

Works Cited:

Estime, Merli. Prostitution In The Victorian Era. Slideshare. N.p., 29 May 2007. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. <http://www.slideshare.net/missmerli/prostitution-in-the-victorian-era&gt;.

 ”The Great Social Evil.” The Great Social Evil. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2012. <http://www.victorianweb.org/periodicals/punch/49.html&gt;.

 ””The Ruined Maid” (1866; Published in 1902).” “The Ruined Maid” (1866; Published in 1902). N.p., 4 Jan. 2006. Web. 25 Sept. 2012. <http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/hardy/poems/ruinedmaid.html&gt;.

The underlying image of the Victorian prostitute has been one of great debacles. Laid out in the understanding of some, the idea of a prostitute was one consisting of 3 elements. To be deemed a “harlot” was something of irreversible consequences.

 “1. That once a harlot, always a harlot.

2. That there is no possible advance, moral or physical, in the condition of the actual prostitute.

3. That the harlot’s progress is short and rapid.” (Action)

The ideals of a harlot laid out in the early workings of the piece, written by Action, bring forth the heavy religious mindset that was of great prevalence during the era. This underlying undertone brought forth and imposed on women of the Victorian era was one of misunderstanding. The common prostitute during the Victorian era was one of the working class. The lack of jobs and inability to advance one’s self was of heavy credence. To be born in the working class meant a hard upbringing. The advancement of social class was one of rare hopes and dreams. The working class was a hard compilation of workers in mills and factories in which earned a day-to-day living from the sweat of their brow. Therefore, when providing for members of the family became tough young women would find themselves turning to the occupation of prostitution. For example some have argued that, “prostitution will be treated as an occupation- one that involved casual sexual encounters with men for ‘cash payments’”(Walkowitz).

(google.com/image)

Women who could not find a means of support from their families as well as acquire more assets sought out prostitution. Unfortunately, prostitution was found acceptable by the government and was allowed on certain streets as long as the women would not become a public nuisance (Walkowitz). The working class prostitute typically would sell themselves to those of the same class. As a result, business was more prevalent in areas of expansion. Growing places like London would find a heavier presence of prostitutes due to the greater presence of the working class. The working class prostitute was an occupation as a means to find the necessities they could not acquire due to their class. Finding a stable form of income by a means of selling their bodies was a common occurrence. Prostitution was considerably a very significant scapegoat for many women within the working class. By selling their bodies women were able to obtain material goods such as fine clothing and jewelry in which could help them advance social classes. In the end prostitution, a job of little glamor, was a resource for many women who needed a helping hand in order to acquire money and power. With prostitution came a chance for growth and prosperity amongst women.

Works Cited

Walkowitz, Judith. Prostitution and Victorian society : women, class, and the state. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1980. eBook. Accessed Sept 23, 2012

Google.com/image Accessed Sept 23, 2012

By: Chessjuan Monk

     William Hogarth, an Englishman known for his political cartoons and realistic paintings, hid anything but the truth. Within Hogarth’s paintings, Before, and, After, sexual arousal and a lack of courtship appear to be present within these visual displays. For instance, in the painting, Before, the apples scattered before the girl shown within the painting depict the moral stature of Eve (Fitzwilliam Museum). Due to the fact that apples tend to symbolize trouble and mischief within European culture. Not to mention the gentleman’s stance towards his mistress is quite provocative. As a result, these images provide the audience with multiple assumptions upon what might happen later. Consequently, these portraits revealed broken rules upon which happened behind closed doors.

     Courtship was extremely important within the Victorian Era, especially for the upper class. Both men and women were expected to follow a strict set of rules when approaching the opposite sex. For example, “no sexual contact was allowed before marriage. Innocence was demanded by men from women of his particular class, and most especially from his future wife” (Hoppe). The Victorian era was best known for controlling impulsivity and containing a sexually repressed society.

                                                   

Analysis of Before:

* The girl within the painting appears to be embarrassed by the boy’s advancement towards her due to her red checks.

* The apples appear to resemble symbolic meaning towards the story of Adam and Eve.

* The boy appears to have a bulge.

* The boy’s leg is provocatively leaning in towards the girl.

* As a result of their white stockings the couple appear to be from the upper class.

* Both individuals are located in a forest with privacy.

                                                   

Analysis of After:

* Due to the couples flush faces they both appear to be out of breath.

* The girl seems to be looking at boy with content.

* Both appear to have their stockings out

* within the painting the girl’s thighs are exposed.

* Boy’s unbuttoned pants reveal some clues as to what may have happened.

* Apples still remain present on the floor.

* The boy is staring off into the distance.

* The white cloth on the ground may indicate something of the girl’s virginity.

 Rules of Courtship:

* People of lesser rank were always introduced to people of higher rank, and then only if the higher-ranking person had given his/her permission.

* Even after being introduced, the person of higher rank did not have to maintain the acquaintance. They could ignore, or ‘cut’ the person of lower rank.

* A single woman never addressed a gentleman without an introduction.

* A single woman never walked out alone. Her chaperone had to be older and preferably married.

* If she had progressed to the stage of courtship in which she walked out with a gentleman, they always walked apart. A gentleman could offer his hand over rough spots, the only contact he was allowed with a woman who was not his fiancée.

* Proper women never rode alone in a closed carriage with a man who wasn’t a relative.

* She would never call upon an unmarried gentleman at his place of residence.

* She couldn’t receive a man at home if she was alone. Another family member had to be present in the room.

* A gentlewoman never looked back after anyone in the street, or turned to stare at others at church, the opera, etc.

* No impure conversations were held in front of single women.

* Intelligence was not encouraged, nor was any interest in politics. (Hoppe)

          The Victorian era was all about presentation. Marriage between different social classes was often rare, unless under certain circumstances. The only time men typically approached women of lower social standings was with prostitution. Even the couple within the portraits, Before and After, appears to be entwined in the same social class. According to their clothing they appear to resemble the upper class; due to their white stockings and embellished apparel.

        In conclusion, the Victorian era has forever changed the way men and women approach each other. Even today traditions of courtship still exist. For example, prom and is a great indication that the courtship functions today. The exchange of corsages and boutineers as well as the dance itself resembles the traditions upon which were practiced years ago. True it may be that courtship and etiquette have died down through history but the Victorian era still lives on.

Works Cited

“Fitzwilliam Museum.” Fitzwilliam Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2012. <http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/pharos/collection_pages/18th_pages/PD11_1964/TXT_SE-PD11_1964.html>.

Hogarth, William. Before. 1730-31. The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. Your Paintings. Public Catalogue Foundation, 2012. Web. 12 Sept. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/before-5239>.

Hogarth, William. After. 1731. The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. Your Paintings. Public Catalogue Foundation, 2012. Web. 12 Sept. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/paintings/after-5241>.

Hoppe, Michelle J. “Courting the Victorian Woman.” Courting the Victorian Woman. N.p., 1998. Web. 13 Sept. 2012. <http://www.literary-liaisons.com/article009.html>.

In today’s technologically riddled world, giving birth is as easy as arriving at the hospital. At which, a medical team works harmoniously together to deliver the growing life from the mother. However, life in the Victorian era was anything but simple. Mary Robinson, for example, is a testament to the struggles of giving birth in the perspective of the working class. As a result of living in the lower half of society, many working class women, including Robinson, would lack nutritional intake. This in turn, could cause contracted hips, increasing the difficulty of giving birth. The working class not only suffered from malnourishment, but as well from fatalities during birth due to their small stature. Women in the working class were significantly smaller than those of “good”, more well off families. “Women noted at 5’1 and shorter would suffer twice the fetal mortality rate of giving birth of those above 5’4; along with running the risk of dying during birth the percentage of babies born premature greatly increased”(Wohl).

With Robinson’s travels to help fend off collectors of her most recent husbands gambling and Perdita’s debt, she was plagued with a miscarriage. The lacks of better care lead her to be the recipient of a partially paralyzed leg (upenn.edu). This misfortune would only get worse as the paralysis spread and she would go on to suffer acute painful rheumatism for the rest of her life. These varying actions and hardships in her life can really be felt by the heavy words that are used throughout the poem “ODE to BEAUTY”. Although written in a romanticist style the poem is reminiscent of her life.

“No more it scatters perfumes round,

No more it rears its gentle head,

Or brightly paints the mossy ground:

For ah! The beauteous bud, too soon,

Scorch’d by the burning eye of day;

Shrinks from the sultry glare of noon,

Drops its enamell’d brow, and blushing, dies away.”(Robinson)

                                    

With her life filled with hardships, it appears that she is the flower she speaks of. She is tired of carrying the heavy weight of being with these men, who are continuously finding a means to complicate her life. And in her final struggles to fight and keep her lover from having to feel the continent she is in and then to have the misfortune of this miscarriage. Her life, once glamorous, is now this shamble and shell that is shrinking; giving way to her paralyzed leg and continuous pain as if she is now ready to pass away.

Bibliography

Google.com/images

Wohl, Anthony. Women and Victorian Public Health: Difficulties in Childbirth. www.victorianweb.org. Accessed Sept. 11, 2012, last updated: June. 29, 2002

Wojtczak, Helena. Pregnancy and Childbirth. www.victorianweb.org.

Accessed Sept 11, 2012, last updated: 2000

Within the 18^th and 19^th century division between social classes were very profound. The Victorian era, best known for maintaining self-control and poise, solidified remaining class relations. Individuals were expected to control their composure and act properly at all times. Meaning, for example, that Nobles were not encouraged to converse with field workers unless within reason. However, the development of the Industrial Revolution would slowly demolish former social boundaries made within society. Towards the beginning of the Victorian times, most people lived in villages and worked on the land. Containing a fairly small middle class. Yet, by the end of the Victorian era most people lived in towns and cities, while working in offices and factories. With a considerably bigger sized middle class. Social Status would considerably improve eventually, but until then it would remain an unsatisfiable truth for many.

Upper Class: typically never worked. Most of the time their income, land and investments were inherited from former relatives. This class usually consisted of members of the church and nobility. Unfortunately, living luxuriously came with slight issues. It was extremely important for individuals to follow the rules of courtship and proper etiquette. Women were expected to fulfill multiple duties that would grant them fitted for marriage.

 Middle Class: men were known to perform mental or “clean” work, while the wife and children lived under his roof.  Usually the middle class were paid monthly or annually. These jobs consisted of bankers, shopkeepers, merchants, engineers, and other professions. The middle class was best known for living a comfortable life style with minor struggles along the way.

Working Class: Both men and women performed physical labor, along with their children, within this social structure. They tended to live in poor conditions with little or no education. This particular social class did not follow the rules of courtship and Victorian Life as strictly as the upper and middle classes. Working conditions were quit difficult and tough for those within this class structure. Labor unions and health benefits had not been developed yet, leaving them completely dependent upon the few funds earned.

Bibliography:

“The Victorian Web: An Overview.” The Victorian Web: An Overview. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Aug. 2012. <http://victorianweb.org/>.

Baker, Erin, Ann Jacoby, and Skylar Kulbacki. Social Structure. Victorian Era Social Structure. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Aug. 2012. <http://www.slideshare.net/sstuckey/victorian-era-social-structure>.

Google Images

Throughout history child labor has played a crucial role in the development of ones society politically, economically, and socially. The Industrial Revolution in Great Britain and the United States is often recognized for its influence over the local communities. During the Industrial Revolution children from low-income families were forced to reside to child labor in order to help support their families. As child labor increased the health of the local societies decreased. With the deterioration of the future youth law enforcements would be made.

Child Employment:

• Gas works
• Shipyards
• Construction,
• Match Factories,
• Nail Factories
• Chimney sweeping
• Textile Industry
• Iron and Coal Mines

Wages and Hours:

• Many children worked 16 hour days
• Children as young as six years old were employed
• Most prostitutes were between 15 and 22 years of age.

Treatment:

• Both boys and girls who worked in factories were subject to beatings and other harsh forms of pain infliction.
• Radical Laws for change in child labor were made in 1831

“The Victorian Web: An Overview.” The Victorian Web: An Overview. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2012. <http://victorianweb.org/>.

“Child Labor in Factories During the Industrial Revolution.” Child Labor in Factories During the Industrial Revolution. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2012. <http://www2.needham.k12.ma.us/nhs/cur/Baker_00/2002_p7/ak_p7/childlabor.html>.