Mona Caird - Marriage

Dog being chained analogy

‘So the dog is punished by chaining for the misfortune of being chained.’

Marriage as Economic Transaction

Marriage resembles a form of ‘woman-purchase’

Unequal Moral Standards

‘Honour’ grew up…creating a remarkable paradox of a moral possession…which could be injured by the action of some other person…’

Unequal Moral Standards

‘Thus also arose woman’s honour, which was lost if she did not keep herself solely for her lord, present or to come.’

Childbearing and Physical Sacrifice - Melanchthon German Reformer

‘If a woman becomes weary of bearing children, that matters not; let her only die from bearing, she is there to do it.’

Childbearing and Physical Sacrifice

‘What of the anguish and weariness…the thousand painful disabilities…which she will have to bear to her life’s end?’

Lutheran Influence

‘Luther ignored all the claim of passion in a woman…her role was one of duty and service.’

Caird’s view of free marriage

‘Every good thing that we enjoy today was once the dream of a ‘crazy enthusiast’…The ideal marriage then…should be free.’

Caird’s view of free marriage

‘The time has come…for a gradual alteration of opinion which will rebuild [institutions] from the very foundation.’