Victorian Woman - 1860s

I wanted to find out about Victorian woman in the early 1860s, which is when Great Expectations was written, so I could find out about real woman from that time period and not just Miss Havisham and Estella as they appear in the book.

The Role of Femininity

Femininity was seen as a middle class status symbol, and women who rejected this or had any sort of sexual realm were seen as "fallen women"

"A woman could make or break the social standing and future of her entire family by failing to understand or interpret correctly the rules of social etiquette."

 Punch Magazine became a vehicle for middle class men to show their fear and loathing of strong minded women through cartoons, usually depicting ugly moustached women wearing trousers.

The above is a cartoon from Punch Magazine - it shows and "accomplished young lady" sipping tea and looking pretty, while a lady in the background with a sword and helmet (obviously a symbol of the feminists) is blurred in the background looking ashamed,

How can I incorporate this knowledge into my designs?

Estella and Miss Havisham are like opposite ends of the coin - Estella, although hard faced, on the outside is feminine and beautiful - just what would've fitted into society perfectly at this time. Miss Havisham on the other hand is the opposite. She has let herself go and wears the same garment and does not keep up with things that woman should involve themselves in.

"It would be unheard of for a wealthy married woman to wear the same clothes all day."

Finding this out enhances the taboo of Miss Harvisham.This quote epitomises her - she is wealthy, and so close to being married. Where regular woman would have day dresses and tea dresses and dinner dresses and walking dresses, she stays in her wedding dress.

I found this photo of a victorian woman in Through the Looking Glass, and it reminded me so strongly of Miss Havisham - the hunched back of someone who had been sitting too long, the curled wrist of someone that had been waiting too long, the slightly frazzled hair and the bright eyes of someone who perhaps is slightly worse for wear mentally.

E. Wilson, L.Taylor. 1989.Through the Looking Glass, A History of Dress from 1860 to the Present Day.Woodlands, London. BBC Books
Punch Ltd. 2013. An Accomplished Young Lady. 1842.Viewed 03/02/2013. Available from http://punch.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Victorian-Era-Cartoons/G0000czGdMEOaVXY/I0000PjbYTyUx.Xg