Roshelli Throughout 19th century America women were prominent figures not only in literature but in history. 19th Century literature depicts women to have four ideal characteristics in “The Cult of Domesticity”. These include piety, purity, submissiveness, and domesticity. In “The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky” married women are depicted in a way that supports “The Cult of Domesticity”. However, “The Cult of Domesticity” is refuted and supported in “High Noon”. “High Noon” shows Amy Kane going against submissiveness by refusing to stay with Will, reaching out of her domestic sphere when she joins the gun fight, and her religious piety through her strong religious views. “Story of An Hour” depicts married women as being controlled and wanting to break away which refutes “The Cult of Domesticity”. In “The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky”, married women are depicted as not being individuals. This supports “The Cult of Domesticity” because it depicts married women more like property rather than individuals. Jack’s wife was not even given a name which shows her lack of importance. Her only importance in the story is to represent their marriage. This portrays married women’s lack of individualism, therefore supporting “The Cult of Domesticity”. …show more content…
One of the four ideal characteristics in “The Cult of Domesticity” is submissiveness. In the story, Amy Kane defies this by refusing to go back to the town with her husband Will which refutes “The Cult of Domesticity”. However, when the gunfight ensues, she returns to the town. Amy then saves Will by shooting one of the outlaws in the back, therefore refuting “The Cult of Domesticity” once again because she overstepped her domestic sphere. “The Cult of Domesticity” is supported in “High Noon” through Amy’s depiction of being very religious. Religion was believed to be a good thing for women supported by Amy’s strong Quaker