The Victorian society held rigid views on marriage and the role of women in life.
women regarded marriage as a fact of nature. It was an important part of their life plan, as.
important as giving birth. In the mid-19th century, reproduction was considered a.
woman's only correct occupation. Under the common-law doctrine those times , when a.
woman married she lost her independent legal personality. Men could divorce their wives.
solely on the grounds of adultery, but women were forced to show proof of cruelty,.
bigamy, incest, or bestiality along with infidelity. Husbands could beat to death their wives.
and get only a few years in jail, but wives were treated worse for killing their husbands,.
even after years of abuse, and often received a death sentence. Divorce was very.
expensive and usually only available to the rich. People most often simply lived apart or.
separated from one another. The Matrimonial Causes Act of 1923 made it easier for.
women by allowing them to sue an adulterous husband for divorce. Marriage in Victorian.
England was viewed in terms of economic and material gain, especially among the upper.
class. It was not viewed as an equal partnership between a man and a woman. The.
husband was the controlling figure and the wife was supposed to be quiet and submissive.
to her husband's wishes. He controlled all wealth and property, including her personal.
effects even the money she had before marriage. The Victorian woman had little or no.
rights regarding her marriage. She was completely under the control of her husband, with.
the law being in his favor. Most Victorian women calmly accepted their role with little.
complaint. Women saw marriage as a way to gain independence from their families and.
begin a life of their own. Many felt that although the marriage was dissolved in the eyes.
of the law, it was still binding in the eyes of God. .