1800-1840: The Cult Of True Womanhood

In “the lady and the mill girl’ they talk about the period 1800-1840 was decisive changes occurred in American women. They talk about economic, political, and social status of women. Vast majority of women worked within their homes, where their labor produced most articles needed for the family. Work for women, married or single, it was regarded as a civic duty. Under British common law, marriage destroyed a woman’s contractual capacity; she couldn't sign a contract even under husband’s consent. Women did not play a determining role in ranking patterns; took position under the men of the family. By 1840 all of American society had changed. Women were excluded from the new democracy. Women's work outside of the home no longer met with social
The attributes of True Womanhood could be divided into four cardinal virtues-piety, purity, submissiveness and domesticity. They spelled mother, daughter, sister, wife-woman. she was promised happiness and power with these. Religion or piety was the core of woman's virtue, source of her strength. Women are naturally religious. Stated by John Sanford "Religion is just what woman needs. Without it she is ever restless or unhappy.. One reason religion was valued was that it did not take a woman away from her home. Women were warned not to let their literary or intellectual pursuits take them away from God.Purity was important to young women. Marriage was the greatest night of a woman's life True women portrayed their virtue even if man didn't want them to. If Women overcame man’s assaults she was superior over them. Men were grateful when women saved themself for him. Women accepted with pride but suitable modesty, this priceless virtue. "Purity is the highest beauty” In the nineteenth century any form of social change was serious t to an attack on woman's virtue, if it was correctly understood.. American would boast if their daughters were innocent. Women understood her position. Woman were told to work in silence, not for money, just for affection. Women who worked for there husbands were known as “True Women” A wife was only to occupy herself "only with domestic affairs.” They were told to avoid conflict. Woman was required to submit to fortune. True woman's place was to be a mother and wife. Woman was expected to dispense comfort and cheer. Women were supposed to be the nurse, as a comforter. People got sick a lot, especially in the family. Women liked nursing, it gave them useful, and gave them accomplishment. Women had to do all the housework. Women loved reading, but only told