Women's Education 1836

DavidZahir · Dec 31, 2011

I'm trying to get a stronger 'handle' on what the range of the normal on this. For this instance, my concern is what a governess would be teaching a baronet's daughter in a pretty isolated estate in 1836. That's the year before Victoria came to the throne.

Now keep in mind that Anne Lister--a genuine squire's daughter of the Regency period (she died circa 1820)--spoke Latin and Greek well enough to develop a personal code for her diaries based on same. She even attended a very expensive girl's boarding school for young women of her class (she was expelled at age 13 when they found out she was having sex with one of her classmates). Yet barely two generations before squires were openly decrying the idea of teaching women to read (this was the same time, however as the future Mary Shelly was growing up).

The Lady hiring the governess in my story has had to run the estate for years, and done it well. Her own parents encouraged her to read and to think, so she will definitely want a governess who teaches her 8-year-old daughter more than music, sewing and deportment.

Any feedback on this is most welcome. Many thanks!

Siri Kirpal · Dec 31, 2011

Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

From Jane Eyre (published in 1847), "She is qualified to teach the usual branches of a good English education, together with French, Drawing, and Music." During the course of the book, Jane teaches her pupil geography and some history. And assume she also taught basic reading, writing and arithmetic. Because later, she teaches village girls "Knitting, sewing, reading, writing, cyphering."

Music was sometimes taught by a special master. Ditto drawing. Latin and Greek and sometimes Hebrew weren't unheard of. French was nearly universal in the highly educated.

Hope that helps.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

frimble3 · Dec 31, 2011

DavidZahir said:
I'm trying to get a stronger 'handle' on what the range of the normal on this. For this instance, my concern is what a governess would be teaching a baronet's daughter in a pretty isolated estate in 1836. That's the year before Victoria came to the throne.

Now keep in mind that Anne Lister--a genuine squire's daughter of the Regency period (she died circa 1820)--spoke Latin and Greek well enough to develop a personal code for her diaries based on same. She even attended a very expensive girl's boarding school for young women of her class (she was expelled at age 13 when they found out she was having sex with one of her classmates). Yet barely two generations before squires were openly decrying the idea of teaching women to read (this was the same time, however as the future Mary Shelly was growing up).

The Lady hiring the governess in my story has had to run the estate for years, and done it well. Her own parents encouraged her to read and to think, so she will definitely want a governess who teaches her 8-year-old daughter more than music, sewing and deportment.

Any feedback on this is most welcome. Many thanks!

Bolding mine. There were probably squires decrying the idea in Anne Lister's day, and in Victoria's, too, come to that. It would very much be a matter of the adult's personal preference. A woman who had been given an education (and had had to use it) would be likelier to pass the same on to her daughter. A woman who had been minimally educated and felt that she hadn't missed much, would be less likely to go to the bother. The same, I suspect for a man. Also, fashion and tradition would play a part. If everyone in their circle educates their girls the same way as their boys, they'd be likelier to follow along.
If it's the norm for girls to just learn a few social graces, and the minimum of reading and writing, they might not risk making their daughter look like a blue-stockinged pariah by encouraging her education. Especially if they aren't interested themselves.

Buffysquirrel · Jan 1, 2012

Mary Shelley had a somewhat unusual family.

I think if the child's mother wants to educate her, it will come down to what do you think she'll want her daughter to know. Governesses ranged from having only basic information to impart to being highly qualified, but, in any case, the mother can hire masters to fill the gaps.

A way into this might be to decide what future the mother sees for her child. A wife of a diplomat? of an aristocrat? What skills will she need in that future?

Women's Education 1836

DavidZahir

Malkavian Primogen

Siri Kirpal

Swan in Process

frimble3

Heckuva good sport

Buffysquirrel