The beginning of the 20th century in the United States was an era of promise. The United States was a country fresh off reconstruction from the severe damages from the civil war and was transitioning into becoming an economic power. However, the rising new economic power embodied the class conflicts left unattended by their colonial predecessors. The upper class were called the Victorians, the wealthiest members of American society, who enjoyed a lavish lifestyle , while controlling several aspects around the United States. Below them, laid the progressives who represented the growing middle class in the United States in the turn of the century. Progressives, because of their disparity of wealth and their large numbers compared to Victorians,
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Even though, economic security was a major concern for Progressives, they also focused on the struggles women faced throughout the country. Victorians , due to their lavish lifestyles, benefitted from the current economic system that objectified and punish humans for their gender. Mcgeen exemplifies the patriarchy by stating “ the idea that woman is a toy, pretty, doll, with no will power of her own, only a parrot, a parasite of man” (McGeen 86). Evidently, the lovely Victorian lifestyle benefitted from the financial restrictions present on women. Moreover, with a severe concentration of wealth for Victorians, the rich and famous aimed to keep this so glamorous lifestyle. The attacks on Victorians by Progressives gained more attention, which signaled a potential problem considering prostitutes came from primarily working class neighborhoods” ( Mcgee 87). The wealth disparity evidently benefitted the “ upper ten,” because it meant they made more money, while still being able to enjoy their grandiose life of alcohol, gambling, and prostitution. The objectification of women illustrates the Victorian social structure, where women do not work and are viewed as child bearers. The deficiencies, like prostitution and women’s role found in the economic system at the time signaled the type of reforms progressives aimed to
Even though, economic security was a major concern for Progressives, they also focused on the struggles women faced throughout the country. Victorians , due to their lavish lifestyles, benefitted from the current economic system that objectified and punish humans for their gender. Mcgeen exemplifies the patriarchy by stating “ the idea that woman is a toy, pretty, doll, with no will power of her own, only a parrot, a parasite of man” (McGeen 86). Evidently, the lovely Victorian lifestyle benefitted from the financial restrictions present on women. Moreover, with a severe concentration of wealth for Victorians, the rich and famous aimed to keep this so glamorous lifestyle. The attacks on Victorians by Progressives gained more attention, which signaled a potential problem considering prostitutes came from primarily working class neighborhoods” ( Mcgee 87). The wealth disparity evidently benefitted the “ upper ten,” because it meant they made more money, while still being able to enjoy their grandiose life of alcohol, gambling, and prostitution. The objectification of women illustrates the Victorian social structure, where women do not work and are viewed as child bearers. The deficiencies, like prostitution and women’s role found in the economic system at the time signaled the type of reforms progressives aimed to