Modern women and what is said of them : a reprint of a series of articles in the Saturday Review (1868)

by E. Lynn (Elizabeth Lynn) Linton

"Modern Women and What is Said of Them" by E. Lynn Linton is a collection of essays written in the mid-19th century. The work addresses the evolving roles and perceptions of women in society, critiquing contemporary behaviors and societal norms surrounding femininity. It offers a critical examination of what the author sees as the decline of the ideal woman, contrasting past ideals with what she terms "the girl of the period." The opening of the collection introduces the concept of the "girl of the period," characterizing her as a modern figure epitomized by superficiality and excess. Linton paints a disparaging portrait of this new woman, highlighting her obsession with fashion, frivolity, and social standing at the expense of traditional virtues such as purity and modesty. The author laments this shift, suggesting that this new generation of women lacks the depth and moral fiber that once defined femininity. Linton's analysis sets the stage for a broader discourse on the impact of societal changes on women's lives and their roles as wives, mothers, and members of their communities.