WOMEN AND VICTORIAN VALUES, 1837-1910
Advice Books, Manuals and Journals for Women
Part 2: Sources from the Bodleian Library, Oxford
Schooling played a crucial role in the socialisation of girls, as can be seen in works like The nursery maid: Her duties and how to perform them (1839), Guide for governesses, English & Foreign (1875), Girls at home: a domestic economy reader for use in schools (1895) and Girls and their ways, by one who knows them (1881). Role models are given in Women of Worth (1859), and Women Adventurers (1893). There are also many examples of nursery literature including The mothers picture alphabet (1862), The nursery treasure picture book of funny stories, good music and pretty rhymes by Mercie Sunshine (1883) and The mothers book of song (1902).
Workhouses and womens work (1858) reveals what life was like for the less fortunate in Victorian Society with six articles on the work performed by women at these institutions. Similarly informative is The working-classes, by a daughter of the people (1869). There are also valuable portrayals of women in the rope-making, confectionary and printing trades as well as in local government and in health care. A celebration of womens progress is lavishly served up in the original souvenir programme for the Womens Exhibition, Earls Court (1900). Womens Health comes to the fore in A hand-book of domestic medicine (1855), The mothers medical adviser and guide for emergencies (1862), and The family physician (1878). These touch on many of the taboos of Victorian Society, notwithstanding advances in medical knowledge. The growing popularity of exercise for women is exemplified in a Series of Calisthenic and Hygenic Exercises (1854) which also emphasises correct posture. Womens rights are argued for in A womans view of womens rights (1867) and Womens Suffrage Record (1903-1906), both of which are interesting sources relating to gender studies.
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