Although Patmore and Ruskin both contain women, Ruskin at least believes in the “power” of women inside the house.
With Patmore being a man in this Victorian era, he believed women in the Victorian society are suppose to be no more than the pleasing and forgiving, “angel in the house.” (Patmore 293). He states, “Man must be pleased” (Patmore 293) using the word “must” shows the reader that the person who will be pleasing the man doesn't have a say in whether or not they want to please man, it’s a command. Patmore uses the passive voice to indicate that he doesn't have to mention the women, who will be pleasing the man, because society already knows it’s a woman's “job.” Adding the woman to the sentence would take away from the man, who Patmore believes to be more important. In the rule of forgiving Patmore says, “And seems to think the sin was hers”(Patmore 294). To the audience it sounds like the man is never wrong and if he happens to be wrong, its the woman's job to make it her wrong. To Patmore the woman can’t question whether they're going to forgive their husband, that is what is expected of women to do. The woman must forgive her husband no matter how big or small the “sin” was. “ She loves with love that cannot tire”(Patmore 294), if the man decides he doesn't love his wife anymore it’s the woman's job to love harder. With the word “tire” Patmore tells us that the woman isn't ever allowed to show her true emotions. Ruskin still believing in the containment of women he does give them “power” inside of the house.
With Ruskin stating, “Each has what the other has not”(Ruskin 294) he shows the reader that both sexes are important, but the sex of women would never be nearly as important as the sex of men. “The woman's power is for rule, not for battle,”(Ruskin 294) This statement by Ruskin suggests that she can rule, as long as it is in a place where men will find it too easy to rule. Ruskin writes, “her intellect is not for invention … but for sweet ordering…” (Ruskin 294) Using the word “sweet” to describe her intellect he sugar coats her intelligence. Although, Ruskin lowers women he shows her power as “ruler” of the home. “But home is yet wherever she is” (Ruskin 295) doing this shows the power of her peacefulness and shelter. He believes that when a woman is present she has the power to change the whole setting of a room.
Even though Patmore and Ruskin are along the same lines, Ruskin’s perspective can still be seen as giving women too much power, even if it's just in the house. If a woman in the Victorian society follows the beliefs of Ruskin, and her husband beliefs are along the lines of Patmore, this will create some tension in their household. In the Household where she believes she has the “power” and free from the “hostile society of the outer world…” (Ruskin 295).
Patmore, Coventry. "The Angel in the House." In The Secret Agent. Toronto, Ontario: Broadview Editions, 2009. Print.
Although Patmore and Ruskin both contain women, Ruskin at least believes in the “power” of women inside the house.
With Patmore being a man in this Victorian era, he believed women in the Victorian society are suppose to be no more than the pleasing and forgiving, “angel in the house.” (Patmore 293). He states, “Man must be pleased” (Patmore 293) using the word “must” shows the reader that the person who will be pleasing the man doesn't have a say in whether or not they want to please man, it’s a command. Patmore uses the passive voice to indicate that he doesn't have to mention the women, who will be pleasing the man, because society already knows it’s a woman's “job.” Adding the woman to the sentence would take away from the man, who Patmore believes to be more important. In the rule of forgiving Patmore says, “And seems to think the sin was hers”(Patmore 294). To the audience it sounds like the man is never wrong and if he happens to be wrong, its the woman's job to make it her wrong. To Patmore the woman can’t question whether they're going to forgive their husband, that is what is expected of women to do. The woman must forgive her husband no matter how big or small the “sin” was. “ She loves with love that cannot tire”(Patmore 294), if the man decides he doesn't love his wife anymore it’s the woman's job to love harder. With the word “tire” Patmore tells us that the woman isn't ever allowed to show her true emotions. Ruskin still believing in the containment of women he does give them “power” inside of the house.
With Ruskin stating, “Each has what the other has not”(Ruskin 294) he shows the reader that both sexes are important, but the sex of women would never be nearly as important as the sex of men. “The woman's power is for rule, not for battle,”(Ruskin 294) This statement by Ruskin suggests that she can rule, as long as it is in a place where men will find it too easy to rule. Ruskin writes, “her intellect is not for invention … but for sweet ordering…” (Ruskin 294) Using the word “sweet” to describe her intellect he sugar coats her intelligence. Although, Ruskin lowers women he shows her power as “ruler” of the home. “But home is yet wherever she is” (Ruskin 295) doing this shows the power of her peacefulness and shelter. He believes that when a woman is present she has the power to change the whole setting of a room.
Even though Patmore and Ruskin are along the same lines, Ruskin’s perspective can still be seen as giving women too much power, even if it's just in the house. If a woman in the Victorian society follows the beliefs of Ruskin, and her husband beliefs are along the lines of Patmore, this will create some tension in their household. In the Household where she believes she has the “power” and free from the “hostile society of the outer world…” (Ruskin 295).
Ruskin, John. "Sesame and Lilies." In The Secret Agent. Toronto, Ontario: Broadview Editions, 2009. Print.
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