Primary sources are imperative in building a picture of 19th century Britain as they
give us a first-hand insight into what life may have being like during the Victorian
age. Upper, Middle and lower-class women in Victorian society had a very limited
role, however had very different lives depending on wealth. Upper-class women had
everything they needed finest clothing, servants and enjoyed everything money
could offer however, had very little power. The lower-class women had less choice
and although could never rise to an upper-class standing unless through marriage,
they had some opportunity to rise beyond the lowest areas of society through work,
becoming a prostitute or possibly a kept woman.
The explosion of the Industrial Revolution
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In the article the lady
been interviewed explains that the money earned is not enough to survive she
explains “Taking one week with another, all the year round I don 't make above 3s
clear money each week”, 3 shillings equates to around 15 pence a week, when
taking this into account women sourced other methods to earn money such as
prostitution.
For instance, both “The Ruined Maid” by Thomas Hardy and the painting
“Awakening Conscience” by William Hunt are examples of primary sources. They
give an insight into the roles of women in Victorian society. They also have similar
ideas, both are kept women, both would have nothing without the male influence in
their lives. However Hardy 's depiction of the women understands societies general
Thomas Farr Word Count- 1540
view of a “Ruined women”, whereas Hunt shows the women at the point of revealing
her moral consciousness.
With both the poem and the painting, the symbolism accounts for the realisation that
these women are “kept”. Looking closely at the painting the girl has rings on all her
fingers except for her wedding finger, this can be seen as a sure sign she is