Georgiana Cavendish background

During the 18th century, gender roles in England were resonated against high levels of chastity, compliance, delicacy as well as modesty that defined a truly virtuous female. It was believed that the greatest female achievement lay in total obedience and not in intellectual pursuits. This was mostly contributed by the nature and delineation of power that was largely vested in men during this period and earlier on. However, this was very wrong as women could contribute positively to the societal development. It was also wrong as it disregarded their integrity and underestimated their capacity to effectively participate to important decisions.

Besides, they formed a key pillar in the development and growth of the children in the society which demanded high level wisdom and clear wits. This book gives a clear outlay of the gender roles in England during the 18th century in the highly autocratic setting system. With reference to Georgiana Cavendish there is a clear outlook of how the society started to defy the widely defined and accepted norms for the women in the society. This report gives the changing realities during this period and acted as a major pillar that would define later considerations of both genders in the society.

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A clear comparison of that moment and present day women's roles in the society is given with a view of outlining proper recommendations that should be used in determining the roles for both genders. Georgiana Cavendish background. Georgiana Cavendish was born of John Spencer in 1757 and married to the 5th Duke of Devonshire at the age of 17 years. However, lovers had started admiring her at an early age of 11 years but resisted from getting married by her parents. She was a celebrated beauty and an active political campaigner in the country (Brian, 11-17).

To add to that, she liked gambling and was involved in sexual promiscuity later in her marital life. The author portrays her as a totally defiant icon that defied the odds of major societal expectations of the time. Societal expectations of Georgiana and other women in aristocratic England. Brian (12-16) indicates that women in England were less regarded and required to take a low profile on major issues like political and family matters. Georgiana was therefore expected to be obedient and submissive to her husband from the time of marriage throughout their lives.

All the women in England were required to take care of their husbands and follow their demands in terms of their physical and sexual desires. Therefore, they were expected to remain in their homes to serve their husbands and children. Being the wife of a Duke, of great importance from her was to bear children for her husband and the monarch. The author insists that the wife specifically supposed to bear sons who would later be heirs of the monarch to continue the autocratic regime. With women's position and roles being at the home setting, they were not supposed to be involved in active politics of the country.

During this period, women’s suffrage was unheard of and it was required that they remained silent with their main contribution being to give the Duke an heir of the system. To add to that, the society expected them to remain faithful to their husbands at all times. This was strongly emphasized for Georgiana as she was expected to set the pace for other women to emulate in their lives and depict the king’s pride. Challenges by Georgiana to these conventions. As the book continues to unfold, it is clear that Georgiana challenged majority of these society demands strongly and with great courage.

Though success was not immediate, the challenges acted as main center points in liberation of women in the entire England and other regions during the subsequent years. To begin with, the author puts it very clear that Georgiana was a strong political campaigner and was always found in gatherings of political an literally figures. Prior to 1784 general elections she campaigned for the Whigs particularly Charles James Fox. Major icons emerged later in the country's leadership improving the involvement of women in core decision making processes (Brian, 51-56).

Most remarkable was Britain first prime minister and the leader of conservative party Margaret Thatcher. Unlike the societal expectations, Georgiana never brought happiness to the Duke of Devonshire. The marriage was an unhappy one with high levels of temperaments. Making it even more sorrowful to the people in the society and the Duke himself, in their initial years she never bore any children as she was rocked by vast miscarriages. Later, when she managed to give birth, she bore girls until the much awaited third born son. Besides, she introduced her husband to a mistress who was her friend leading to later marriage to her as a second wife.

This was a major challenge as women were expected to strongly insulate the monarch from external genes that would interfere with the overall 'integrity' of the ruling family. Openly defying major demands in the monarch and the society, Georgiana was promiscuous and had an affair with Charles Grey with whom she had a daughter. She was also reported to have traded kisses for votes during the 1784 general elections. To add to that, Georgiana was never home tied like other women as she went out to meet with other people of different classes.

She was always involved in major places that women were prohibited from getting to. Being addicted to gabling, the book indicates that she died with major debts despite being from a very rich background. Mistresses and involvement of women in major activities that brought them out to meet with others later increased drastically in the whole country with open and hidden affairs characterizing majority of the young people and married couples. Conclusion. Women roles in England during late 18th century were highly oppressive and segregative in the aristocratically defined England.

As indicated by the book, breaking these considerations was hard and required courage as well as major sacrifice. As depicted by Georgiana Duchess, women were strongly valued for their fertility that was largely used by their ruling husbands as a major source of pride due to guaranteed heredity and therefore increased ability to sustain the monarch in their lineages. Though her defiance was met with resistance, it formed a clear icon that marked later liberation for the women in their social-political and economic delineations in all dimensions.

With the current women contribution in the society being of vital essence it is clear that this oppression was a deterrent to fast growth and development in the region during that period. Women roles should therefore be fully appreciated and their participation is equal to those of men as they are equally capable of initiating and contributing to societal growth. Reference list. Brian, M. (1981). Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire: Duchess of Devonshire. London: Routledge.

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