Charlotte Perkins Gilman Analysis

Women and Economics by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is an important primary source document written in 1898 (Foner 554). In the excerpt, Gilman argued that women could be defined by their work and economic status. She identified the desire for greater independence by women and how that would be achieved. Gilman created a powerful piece that “influenced the new generation of women aspiring for greater independence” (Foner 554).
Gilman spoke frankly about the plight of the 1890’s woman and explained how their roles as mother and “house service” (554) were not enough as society continued to evolve. Gilman explained how women were put into a subservient position by “wives to be pitiful asking for money, to the beggary of their position” (554). Women grew unhappy and crave independence.
Gilman supported her claim of the need for economic independence with this statement “A truer spirit is the increasing desire of young girls to be independent, to have a career of their own….” (Gilman 554). She continued to back up her claim by writing “The spirit of personal independence in the women of today is sure proof that a change has come…” (Gilman 554).
Many changes in urban populations, labor organizations and women’s right were ongoing. It was the” age of industrialism” (Hamric lecture -2-6-17). Per Give Me Liberty by Eric Foner “the1890’s launched what would later be called the women’s era – three decades during which women, although still denied the right to vote, enjoyed larger opportunities…” (528) Foner also noted between 1880 and 1900 we saw an increase of 18% in city populations (546). He explained that during this period we saw an explosive growth, fueled by the increasing industrial production” (545). These changes saw the rise in an increased need for workers along with a gradual empowerment in women. Women were stepping out of the domestic sphere and into the public