Cult Of Domesticity Analysis

The Victorian cult of domesticity was shown plenty of times in the series North and South but it was shown the most in Thornton’s annual dinner party in the second episode. In this essay we will talk about how the cult of domesticity and how Victorian lifestyle are shown in North and South and the dinner party scene. The conversations that were shown at the dinner party were mainly about the up-coming riot that was going to take place in the factories. All the factory owners were talking about what they were going to do about the riot while the women (when asked) talked about how they felt about the matter. In the party scene Margaret is asked about how she feels about the riot. Instead of siding with everyone else, she talks about how you should know both sides of the …show more content…
The scenery of the din-ner would have been set up by the women of the house before the party started. The scenery had to be very precise and arranged so that you could see every guest and that the centerpieces wouldn't obstruct anyone's view at the table. We know that Mrs.Thornton made the dinner arrangement because Mr. Hale complements her for her work of the scenery. Another event that would happen during dinners is tea. Women would pour tea a different way depending on how they acted. If a woman pours tea with her left hand she is showing off her wedding ring, but if she pours tea with her right hand it meant she was either a humble character or with God. Pouring tea with the right hand was often the preferred way to do it. Some other aspects of the cult of domesticity are also shown in the series as a whole. One major thing that the cult of domesticity states is that women must stay home and take care of the children. As we know in the series, that doesn't happen a lot in Mil-ton. The women (in the factories) work and even bring their children to work. The only time they stay home is if they are sick, injured, unable to work, and/or