The Angel of The House

Published in 1854, Coventry Patmore's poem "The Angel in the House" represents the ideal Victorian woman and the expectations society placed on wives and mothers. During the Victorian period, women were often expected to be obedient, caring, devoted to their husbands, and focused on maintaining the home. Patmore presents his ideal woman as gentle, selfless, and willing to put her family's needs before her own. While these qualities were praised at the time, they also limited the independence and identity of women. This poem is included in our exhibition because it represents the traditional beliefs that the Decadent Movement challenged. Decadent writers and artists questioned social expectations and encouraged individuality and freedom of expression. By including this poem, visitors can see what Victorian society considered the ideal woman and better understand why challenging those expectations became an important part of the rebellion