Charlotte Gilman

Question 1

What were Gilman’s key ideas?

Answer 1

Sex + domestic economies are hand in hand i.e. for women to survive they have to depend on their sexuality and body in order to please their husbands

Societal pressure - young girls are compelled to conform in society and prepare for motherhood by playing with toys and wearing clothes that are specifically marketed to them

Question 2

Gilman attacked ________ theory of evolution stating it was used to justify ______ domination at home & in society

Answer 2

Darwin’s
Male

Question 3

Gilman believed in equality of ___________

Answer 3

Opportunity - women should play an equal economic role as they were just as intelligent an capable

Question 4

What was Gilman’s solution to gender inequality in society?

Answer 4

Destruction of the nuclear family
Replacing the NF with communal living and symmetrical roles for men & women

Question 5

What were Gilman’s views on human nature?

Answer 5

Women and men are equal biological differences are largely irrelevant - women are just as rational and capable as men

Question 6

What were Gilman’s views on society?

Answer 6

Women were historically assigned inferior roles in society - Darwin’s theory of evolution - young girls are compelled to conform in society & prepare for motherhood

Question 7

What were Gilman’s views on the economy?

Answer 7

Men dominate the economy because social norms obligate women to take on a domestic role - women should be provided an equal economic role

Question 8

What were Gilman’s two key works?

Answer 8

The yellow wallpaper (1892)
Women & economics (1898)

Implied in both that girls were socialised into an expectation of domestic servitude