Saga - 1997, Page 95

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kvennabaráttu", Fléttur 1 (Reykjavík, 1994), bls. 87-113.
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Sigurður Jónsson, Endurminningar Sigurðar frá Syðstu-Mörk (ísafirði, 1950).
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í’orkell Bjamason, „Fyrir 40 ámm", Tímarit hins íslenzka bókmenntafjelags 13 (1892),
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Summary
Th
e article examines the status of women in nineteenth century Iceland,
ocusing on women's perceptions about their sex roles. By using correspon-
ence and memoirs of women we can approach the ideas and attitudes of
lv°men themselves and compare their perceptions about the woman's place
In the home, in paid work, politics and in society in general with prevailing
ldeasaboutwomen.
^ Wornen's identity was centred around the roles of the mother and the
°usewife and was seen as a fixed, natural entity. But the stereotype of
"’omen as housewives confined to indoor activities was based on the experi-
ence of only a small stratum. Many women worked outdoors as labourers
9nd *n the countryside they participated in hay harvesting and while the
'flen were away during the fishing season the women had to take responsi-
1 y for all the farm work for weeks and even months.
j. °men's legal and political rights were restricted and they received very
fre ^ ^°rrníd education. In the correspondence examined by the author women
quently expressed their desire to seek more education. Critique of gender
fewUa Íty W3S' *10wever' very rare bcfore the middle of the century and the
g() w°men who expressed ámbitions which exceeded the traditional
^jmdaries of their sex did so by thinking and talking about themselves as