| Cruelty and Companionship: Conflict in Nineteenth Century Married Life Contributor(s): Hammerton, A. James (Author) |
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ISBN: 0415036224 ISBN-13: 9780415036221 Publisher: Routledge OUR PRICE: $152.00 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: November 1992 Annotation: "Cruelty and Companionship" is an account of the darker side of marriage in Victorian and Edwardian England. Drawing upon previously unpublished material from the records of divorce and matrimonial proceedings in magistrates' courts, the author challenges popular views about changing family patterns, and gives new insights into the sexual politics of everyday life and the routine tensions which shaped marriage in middle and working- class families. Using contemporary evidence ranging from prescriptive texts and public debate to autobiography and fiction, Hammerton examines the intense public scrutiny which accompanied the routine exposure of marital breakdown, and also charts the growing critique of men's behavior in marriage which increasingly demanded regulation and reform. By examining critical discourse on the subject of marriage, ranging from paternalist to feminist views, this study takes an unprecedented look at the origins and trajectory of nineteenth-century feminism, legal change. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Family & Relationships | Abuse - General - History - Family & Relationships | Abuse - Elder Abuse |
| Dewey: 362.829 |
| LCCN: 91045648 |
| Physical Information: 0.93" H x 6.4" W x 9.42" (1.26 lbs) 248 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Cruelty and Companionship is an account of the intimate but darker sides of marriage in Victorian and Edwardian England. Hammerton draws upon previously unpublished material from the records of the divorce court and magistrates' courts to challenge many popular views about changing family patterns. His findings open a rare window onto the sexual politics of everyday life and the routine tensions which conditioned marriage in middle and working class families. Using contemporary evidence ranging from prescriptive texts and public debate to autobiography and fiction, Hammerton examines the intense public scrutiny which accompanied the routine exposure of marital breakdown, and charts a growing critique of men's behaviour in marriage which increasingly demanded regulation and reform. The critical discourse which resulted, ranging from paternalist to feminist, casts new light on the origins and trajectory of nineteenth century feminism, legal change and our understanding of the changing expression of masculinity. |