Gender, Sex and Subordination in England, 1500-1800

Download or read book Gender, Sex and Subordination in England, 1500-1800 written by Anthony Fletcher and published by Yale University Press. This book was released on 1995-01-01 with total page 494 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fletcher's account draws from a vast range of sources - literary, medical, religious and historical - to investigate the mechanisms through which men and women interpreted and understood their social worlds. He explores the early modern view of the body, of sexual desire and appetites, and of gender difference. He looks at the nature of marital relationships, and shows how subordination was implemented and consolidated through church, school, home and community. And he exposes patriarchy's tragic consequences: smothered opportunity, crushed sexuality, and a pall across many women's lives.