Roles of Women The nineteenth century had the most radical and revolutionary ideas in history. The status of women during this time being one of those ideas. This time period has been named the Victorian Era, and was influential on British society.

Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, "Mary Barton," was designed to portray the cultural customs and ideas of Britain. One of Gaskell's motives was to bring awareness to the life and trials of a Victorian woman. A scholar writes that "for women the situation is complicated by the fact that not only their work, but their bodies have a cash value" (Stoneman 548).A woman from the Victorian Era has to focus on the marriage market, finding work, and not becoming a prostitute. This essay will reveal what women in nineteen century Britain go through, and their personal struggles of trying to find a Job and a husband while keeping the values society upholds them to by using the characters of Elizabeth Gaskell's, "Mary Barton" and how they endure these ideas. Describing a Victorian woman is based on society's religious values.

An article about models of Christian activity stated, "The word is taken to represent the full flowering of ideology, of enderized virtue, of the consolidation of the middle class with its revised gender expectations, of women being regarded as more moral and more religious than men" Oohnson 248). Being Victorian was a system of ideas that was formed based on social norms. Women were held to a higher standard than men. The women were forced to portray a false sense of "domestic" and "feminine" characteristics.

Women are viewed to be in the home away from public view so that they are the support system for their husband.Men were allowed to get away with actions that would be considered religious, while women were expected to be perfect. During this time period, home was the focal point of being an honorable woman. Women entering into these marriages had the sole purpose of serving their husband in any way possible. Marriage and motherhood became a pursuit to a better life.

It takes Mary Barton most of the novel to realize that the pursuit of marriage is not all that she perceived it to be. While on trial Mary confesses, "and this poor young Mr.Carson fell in with me, and told me he loved me; and I was foolish enough to think he meant marriage:...

and so I used to fancy I could like to be a lady, and rich, and never know want any more" (Gaskell 282). The women of this time are often fooled by men of stature because these men know they are vulnerable. Mary was shallow and oblivious to the consequences that would come to haunt her. Mary was trying to make a better life for herself and disregarded her true feelings and the feelings of others. Women are no longer caring people.

They are now seen as commodities. Love was not an issue when bonds were made.It was simply a partnership that women soon regretted. A scholar writes, "Middle-class women play the marriage market; working-class women can take a risk”they may land a husband, as Mrs. Carson did (p.

07), they may end up a cheap bargain, as Mary nearly does (p. 120), or as spoiled goods, like Esther (p. 1 12)" (Stoneman 548). The women of this time were lead to believe that marriage was to a husband their father chose. The working-class women had to find a Job to help out their family while fantasizing about romance that could remove them from their poverty-stricken lifestyle.Mrs.

Carson is one of the fortunate characters that marry out of poverty. Mary was close to becoming a "cheap bargain," but learned from her mistake before it was too late (548). Along with the focus of marriage is another ressing issue of females working. It was customary for Victorian women not to work and, for the women that did work, only certain Jobs were available. The Victorian expression "woman's work for woman" was commonly used in British society Oohnson 263-264). Most women probably worked in the domestic field, as maids, nannies, nursemaids, or governesses.

Obviously, some were more educated and well-off financially from inheritance or marriage, and they had access to tutors as children. Those women could become teachers, clerks, or secretaries. Many young girls had to go to work to help their aging parents. An article disclosed that "Many low-skilled workers found it difficult to provide adequately for their old age...

Those who were able continued to work , albeit at reduced pay, past the age of 65 or even 70, and many received assistance, typically in kind, from their children. " (Boyer and Schmidle 250).Mary Barton and her father, John Barton, are a great representation of children assisting their family. John was getting of age, and it was hard for him to find work.

He was forced to go out and find Mary a Job. This is not as easy as it sounds because he was very particular about the type work he wanted Mary to do. Factory work was not considered as woman's Job. Most husbands and fathers only approved of certain types of Jobs.

It was said that "factory work corrupts women" (Nord 568). Factory work was frowned upon by John Barton. He wanted a better situation for his daughter Mary.