The ideal Victorian woman was expected to embody a number of characteristics that were seen as necessary for the proper functioning of Victorian society. These characteristics included piety, purity, submissiveness, and domesticity, and a woman who embodied them was often seen as the embodiment of the "Angel in the House."
Piety was an important trait for a Victorian woman, as the Victorian era was marked by a strong emphasis on religion and moral virtue. A woman was expected to be deeply religious and to model this piety for her family and community. This often involved regular church attendance, prayer, and charitable work.
Purity was another important trait for a Victorian woman. This meant that a woman was expected to be chaste and to uphold strict standards of sexual morality. She was also expected to be pure in her thoughts, words, and actions, avoiding any behavior or language that might be considered scandalous or inappropriate.
Submissiveness was another characteristic that was highly valued in Victorian society. A woman was expected to be submissive to her husband and to defer to his judgment and authority. This also meant that a woman was expected to be quiet and demure, avoiding any behavior or speech that might be seen as overly assertive or independent.
Finally, domesticity was another important trait for a Victorian woman. This meant that a woman was expected to be skilled in running a household and to devote herself to the care of her family. This often involved managing the household budget, cooking, cleaning, and raising children.
Overall, the ideal Victorian woman was expected to be deeply religious, pure, submissive, and domestic, and to embody the "Angel in the House" ideal. While these expectations may seem outdated and restrictive to modern readers, it's important to remember that they were deeply ingrained in Victorian society and that many women of the time worked hard to live up to them.
