ABSTRACT

Women in Christianity in the Age of Empire (1800–1920) offers a broad view of the nineteenth century as a time of dramatic change, particularly for women, critiqued in the light of postcolonial theory. This edited volume includes important contributions from academics in the field.

Overarching themes include the cult of domesticity, the changing impact of Christianity on views of women’s nature in an age of scientific thinking, conflation of ‘gospel’ and ‘civilization’ in global mission, and the exclusion of women from public spheres of life. We meet powerful saints, campaigners, and thinkers, who bring about genuine transformation in the lives of women, and in society. But we also recognize the long shadow of Empire in the world of the twenty-first century, critiquing Colonialism and Empire, and views that restricted women’s lives.

This engaging volume will be of key interest to students and scholars in Religion and Cultural Studies. Exploring the complexities of the nineteenth centur,y it draws on a range of scholarship, including TV documentaries, film, online, and more traditional academic resources.

chapter |33 pages

Introduction

Women and Christianity in the Age of Empire (1800–1920)Janet Wootton

chapter 2|26 pages

The Virgin Mary

chapter 3|23 pages

Female saints

Industry, image, inspiration

chapter 5|24 pages

Education

chapter 6|24 pages

Philosophical beliefs

Global voices

chapter 7|32 pages

Popular beliefs

Global voices

chapter 8|25 pages

Popular images

Representations of Christian women: Designs on domesticity and constructions amid conflict