Murdoch, Lydia Daily Life of Victorian Women (0313384983)

Explores the complexities of the lived experiences of Victorian women in the home, the workplace, and the empire as well as the ideals of womanhood and femininity that developed during the 19th century.

Contrary to popular misconception, many Victorian women performed manual labor for wages directly alongside men, had political voice before women's suffrage, and otherwise contributed significantly to society outside of the domestic sphere. Daily Life of Victorian Women documents the varied realities of the lives of Victorian women; provides in-depth comparative analysis of the experiences of women from all classes, especially the working class; and addresses changes in their lives and society over time. The book covers key social, intellectual, and geographical aspects of women's lives, with main chapters on gender and ideals of womanhood, the state, religion, home and family, the body, childhood and youth, paid labor and professional work, urban life, and imperialism.

• Gives extensive attention to the experiences of working-class women as well as elite women
• Examines the connections and seeming contradictions between ideology and experience—for example, why did the Victorian concept of women as the 'angel in the house' remain so powerful if the reality of women's experiences was largely unlike this ideal?
• Spotlights topics from recent scholarship on women and imperialism
• Provides clear, engaging information for undergraduates and general readers that is easily searchable by topic

• Includes many primary source selections and illustrations, making it a valuable classroom resource