ABSTRACT
As mistress of the house, the middle-class woman gained a new position in society. Her personal influence grew greatly, as overnight she became an important decision-maker in her realm of home and family. Instead of obeying orders, the middle-class woman now gave directions to servants and tradesmen. For the first time in her life she was responsible for very important sums of money. Her power lay in her control over the household budget, but this could be a source of frustration as well. Direction of the household also included a number of demanding physical tasks and, usually, the employment of a servant. The middle-class housewife was thus an active agent in the family, not a pampered woman of leisure, yet her functions could easily outstrip her means.
