Love and marriage in the Victorian era were seen as very important, as marriage was considered a moral and social obligation. Marriage was also seen as a means of securing a financially and socially stable future. In the upper and middle classes, marriages were often arranged by the couple's parents, who took into consideration the social standing, wealth, and reputation of the potential spouse.
Love and affection were not necessarily seen as necessary components of a successful marriage. Instead, couples were expected to develop love and affection for each other over time and through shared experiences. This approach to marriage was known as "companionate marriage."
However, this view of marriage was not shared by everyone in the Victorian era. Many people, especially in the working classes, married for love and saw marriage as a partnership based on mutual respect, affection, and companionship. These marriages were often seen as more egalitarian, as both partners were expected to contribute to the relationship and the household.
In the Victorian era, there were strict gender roles that dictated how men and women should behave in a marriage. Men were expected to be the breadwinners and provide for their families, while women were expected to be homemakers and caretakers. Women were also expected to be submissive to their husbands and were not allowed to pursue their own interests or have a voice in important decisions.
Overall, love and marriage in the Victorian era were complex and multifaceted, with different expectations and experiences depending on one's social class and personal beliefs. While some marriages were based on love and companionship, others were more practical and focused on financial and social stability. Despite these differences, marriage was seen as a crucial part of Victorian society and played a significant role in shaping the lives of individuals and families.
Theme of Love and Money in Victorian Era Novels
They could also visit alone behind closed doors. Contrarily, women did not have this luxury and had to marry for life. They also exchanged lockets, antique coins, portraits, poems, sketches and locks of hair. What was courtship like in the Victorian era? One thing that was permitted at social events was flirting. More Info On- Found info useful? It would allow you to find your errors and the wife would find her when she is cooler. Do you believe you could bear that patiently? One such example was the 1774 marriage between the 17-year-old daughter of the Earl of Spencer, Georgiana, and the Duke of Devonshire, a 26-year-old man of supreme wealth, power, and influence. An unmarried woma n cou ld i nherit money and propert y after she re ached the age of 21 , but once married, all con trol woul d rev ert to her husband.
Romance & Relationships In The Victorian Era
These books explained several rules for social behavior and those in the Victorian times closely practiced them. Love itself, if it came, was a bonus. Gentlemen were not to approach and flirt with every woman they came across as proper conduct. This was made easier by the fact that wedding dresses were made to reflect the styles of the day, rather than a fairytale ideal. Instead Jane would have been primping and preparing for marriage. Before leaving her, he sees her safe at her chaperone's side. For many brides this also meant discovering the joys, or terrors, of the marital bed.
FREE Love And Marriage In Victorian Times Essay
Nevertheless, some married first and set up home later. No impure conversations were held in front of single women. Jane Eyreby Charlotte Bronte,Great Expectationsby Charles Dickens,Sense and Sensibilityby Jane Austen, and Silas Marnerby George Elliot are among the most popular novels in the social realism genre. What was marriage like in the Victorian era? Queen Victoria wore a white wedding dress but it took some time for this idea to catch on. She could make her personal appearance as good as possible. All the other men she had met lately, namely those her uncle insisted she consider for a husband, had taken careful note of her figure. These hours were then extended to 3pm to reflect both the working hours of the lower classes and the changing social habits of the upper classes.
Victorian era courtship rules and marriage facts
For Georgiana, her status would be elevated to the coveted rank of duchess. A mother took her duty of finding a suitable partner for her daughter very seriously. June was considered the favored month for a marriage. By 1900, such marriages still accounted for two-thirds of the total, with only one-sixth of couples choosing a civil ceremony. T he husband presented his fiancée with a ring; the woman could give her fiancé a ring as well, but it was not required. Hill, there were four items she could accept from a gentleman while still maintaining propriety.
Courtship and Weddings (Women and Marriage in the Victorian and Edwardian Eras
A woman would collect many cards in a an evening but the one that she preferred most, she would present her own card to him and this would mean she had accepted his offer. She looked back at Elizabeth who smiled encouragingly. In the early Victorian period, some middle class girls may have worn white but the style would be chosen with care, so that the dress would be suitable for social occasions afterwards. Roles of Husbands and Wives in Victorian Marriage: The institution of marriage is one of the most important and revered in society. Ernestina can also serve as a typical example of what was the Victorian women's attitude towards their own sexuality and how female sexuality was perceived by the Victorians in general. Unsurprisingly, bigamists were twice as likely to choose a register office than was the norm. How would you describe the Victorian era? In between caring for six children, 7 counting her husband , her day job, her work as a freelance editor and copywriter, and her many volunteer positions, she still makes time to write.
