Quotation: ” ‘My dear, do let me see,’ said Lady Holmhurst, as soon as the servant had left the room. With a sign Augusta uncovered her shoulders, and her friend ran around the table to look at them. There, on her neck, was the will. The cuttle ink had proved an excellent medium, and the tattooing was as fresh as the day on which it had been done, an would, no doubt, remain so till the last hour of her life. ‘Well,’ said Lady Holmhurst, ‘I hope the young man will be duly grateful. I should have to be very much in love,’ and she looked meaningly at Augusta, ‘before I would spoil myself in that fashion for any man.’ (Haggard, chp. 14, pg. 95)

Comment: This passage and reaction from Lady Holmhurst made me think of the different forms of change regarding the view of women. On one hand, we see that Augusta has some semblance of authority and fame via her books. That causes those around her to view her highly and, even if it isn’t close to the standards we hold today, men around her have some respect for her as a woman of business. However, when we see Lady Holmhurst’s reaction, she views the tattooed will as a mark that ‘spoils’ Augusta’s worth. Rather than holding Augusta up as a multifaceted person, Holmhurst instead focuses solely on the physical value of her friend. Of course, even with the growing rights of women, their value during this time stemmed mostly from their value to men specifically, and I feel like Lady Holmhurst’s reaction is an example of how this mindset was still prevalent despite women’s autonomy.

Question: While we know that there were feminist movements, were there any women or groups of women that fought against feminist ideals? If so, did they push for women to return to more “traditional” roles?