The representation of women in early 18th century England

Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature grade: 13 University of Erfurt (Philosophische Fakultät) course: The Rise of English Journalism in the Early 18th Century language: English abstract: I) The first half of the 18th centuryThe important essay by John Locke Essay concerning human understanding (1690) made an exceptionally high impact in the 18th century. His rejection of Descartes' 'innate ideas' constituted the basis for the discussion about abilities and rights of women in the 18th century. A.R. Humphreys noted:Throughout the century a skirmish went on between conservatives who argued forthe grand principle of subordination and progressives who guided by the clearlight of reason contended for woman's rational and social equality.1The married woman was considered to have neither rights nor property due to the fact that with the marriage all her property exchanged automatically to her husband. The ideal of marriage in the 18th century is described by W.L. Blease: ... the ideal of marriage had been brought to its lowest possible level [...] itemphasized the sexual side of the connection and almost entirely disregarded thespiritual.2The average age for marrying rested with 17 years which was the reason that most young women could not satisfy their positions as mothers. The only profession women could have was that of a wife and mother; as Blease said A respectable woman was nothing but the potential mother of children.3. However there was the problem of a surplus of women. Some women had the possibility to teach children which was not very high regarded. Most women however had only the possibility to prostitute themselves which was a crucial problem of this times (Einhoff 1980: 35).Terms like 'the fair sex' 'the soft sex' and 'the gentle sex' designated the relationship of the sexes; the weak and tender woman needs to be protected by the strong man which