Women in Late Victorian Society

submarine argues that women are unplowed like flowers in the garden, dependent upon men for the resources that enable them to exist, two economically and physically. The principle the regulated the dealings between the sexes during the straightlaced era is one that, to Mill, was unjust because it changed the subjective condition of military personnel beings by positing on men a position that weakens and changes the original nature of women. Mill maintains that both form of justice in relations between the sexes will be one that makes no distinction based on gender. As Mill (1989) writes, this command principle of relations between the sexes needed to be replaced with "a principle of perfect equality, admitting no power or prerogative on the one side, nor disability on the other" (p. 119).

In Gissing's (1998) The Odd Women, the author does get outs us with some characters who attempt to wax against or reject patriarchal dominance. Mary Barfoot and Rhoda Nunn promote economic independence and celibacy as a means of empowering women to provide them with a more level playing field in their relations with men and inn. Monica Madden, however, tries to work within the existing parameters of relations between the sexes in her reform efforts. Monica believes she can change her husband's attitudes and beliefs close relations between the sexes. In her mind, real reform is sort of similar to Mill's call f

or a principle of justice between the sexes that is irrespective of gender. We put one all over this when Monica confronts her husband about views that limit women's expressions and behavior. When Edmund tells her he could never set out her walk home alone after dark, she replies with irritation, "Why not? Are you afraid I shall be robbed or polish off" (Gissing 1998, p. 165). We decide Monica feels captive to her husband's confining nature. He must authorise or disapprove virtually every aspect of her behavior, including how she dresses.

We see Gissing's (1998) depiction of her feeling captive is similar to Mill's assessment that women are basically "owned" by men when, after her husband's approves a colorful dress for her, Monica says "You are making a squeeze of me" (p. 167).

Mill's assessment of women also maintains that because they are shackled unnaturally in the domestic sphere, they are seldom able to contribute to hostel in ways they otherwise might. This unnatural domination over women's activity and roles also keeps women from being able to develop natural gifts or potentialities that shortchange both women and men according to Mill. In fact, this fake confinement of women undermines all society and humanity, according to Mill. As Mill (1989) writes, "every restraint on the freedom of conduct of any of their human fellow creatures, dries up pro tanto the principal effluence of human happiness, and leaves the species less rich, to an inappreciable degree, in all that makes flavor valuable to the individual human being" (p. 217).

In conclusion, it is readily apparent that Mill's assessment of the status of women in Victorian society is quite akin to Gissing's characterization of the relations between the sexes in the marriage of Monica and Edmund. Both authors maintain that women are
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