The Women of England
Their Social Duties, and Domestic Habits

Published in 1839, an influential contribution to the debate on middle-class women's education, role and status in life.

Sarah Stickney Ellis (Author)

9781108021876, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 18 November 2010

350 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2 cm, 0.45 kg

Sarah Stickney Ellis (1799–1872) was a prolific writer on female education and women's role in the world. She established a school at Rawdon House, Hertfordshire, to give girls an intellectual and moral training, as well as purely domestic skills, since as future mothers they would be the primary teachers and moulders of the next generation of society. The Women of England, published in 1839, was one of her most successful works, and was an important contribution to the debate on the position of women in society, particularly for the middle classes. Although she argues that women were equal to men, and morally superior, she does not question their legal and social subordination, but intends them to use their influence in their own sphere, and subtly, for the good of the family and society in general. For more information on this author, see http://orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=ellisa

1. Characteristics of the women of England
2. Influence of the women of England
3. Modern education
4. Dress and manners
5. Conversation of the women of England
6. Conversation
7. Domestic habits - consideration and kindness
8. Domestic habits - consideration and kindness
9. Domestic habits - consideration and kindness
10. Domestic habits - consideration and kindness
11. Social intercourse - caprice - affectation - love of admiration
12. Public opinion - pecuniary resources - integrity
13. Habits and character - intellectual attainments - employment of time - moral courage - right balance of mind.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: c 1800 to c 1900 [DSBF]