英语论文网

> The concept of “True Women”, based on the traditional ideologies, pervaded in antebellum 19th century American Culture, is used to define the proper role for middle class white women. “The Cult of True Womanhood” involves the attributes of piety, purity, submissiveness and domesticity (Barbara Welter, 1966:150).
 
 Piety is the core of woman’s virtue, the source of her strength. Young men looking for a mate are cautioned to search first for piety, for if that were there, all else would follow (Nashua, N. H, 1849: 37). So religion belonged to woman by divine right, a gift of God and nature, and religious women are not expected to question their subordinate status. It requires a devout belief in Christianity, stressing that woman is man’s helpmeet, not his equal. A woman’s duty is to serve her husband. As in the novel, Mrs and Mr March think though John is not rich, he is diligent and with good moral quality, so he is the right person to be their son-in–law. When Meg’s engagement to John Brooke is fixed, Meg resolves to learn the domestic chores so as to get herself ready for marriage, while Brooke works outside to earn the material basis for their marriage. Precisely speaking, Meg’s preparation for marriage is to train her to serve a man.
 
Purity, a second virtue, is the strongest possible terms to maintain women’s virtue (Barbara Welter, 1966:151). When Mr. March leaves home to take part in the war, Mrs. March waits for him to come back faithfully. When Meg is engaged to John, she waits three years for him to earn enough money for marriage. Purity demands women’s loyalty and faithful belief, and if this is ignored, the consequences are terrible and inexorable. So every woman in the old time obeys her husband.
 
Submissiveness, the next virtue, requires that a woman obey without question, firstly her parents and later her husband. It is certain that in whatever situation of life a woman is placed from her cradle to her grave, a spirit of obedience and submission, pliability of temper, and humility of mind are required of her. The ture dignity and beauty of the female character seem to consist in a right understanding and faithful and cheerful performance of social and family duties. On Christmas morning, the sisters wait for their mother to have a sumptuous breakfast, however Mrs. March askes her daughters to give their breakfast to save the poor family. The sisters are unwilling, they hesitate for a minute, and finally decide to obey their mother’s decision.
 
Domesticity, the last virtue, means women should center around the home, immersing themselves in domestic tasks while men work out to support the families. Needle-work, in all its forms of use, elegance, and ornament, has ever been the appropriate occupation of women (William Thayer, 1838:27). Mrs. March is a typical domestic woman, she is the center of the household and gives her daughters advices when her husband is out in the battle. She is the busiest women in the novel as her voice is “the first sound in the morning- and the last sound at night”. And after getting married, Meg also stays at home to look after the children and keeps the house in order.
 
The idea of true women rules the old women for centuries. Under men’s domination, women have to stay at home and their talent is constrained. Some brave women struggle to break the limitation and find their own development.<本论文由英语论文网提供整理，提供论文代写，英语论文代写，代写论文，代写英语论文，代写留学生论文，代写英文论文，留学生论文代写相关核心关键词搜索。