The term “New Woman” refers to a feminist ideal and cultural figure that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in Western societies. It encapsulated a shift in societal expectations for women, challenging traditional roles and advocating for greater independence, education, and participation in public life. This figure symbolized a modern woman who was more self-reliant, active, and assertive than the previous, more passive and domestic roles women were often confined to.
The “New Woman” was a concept that embodied the changing attitudes toward gender roles during a time of significant social, political, and economic change. In literature, the “New Woman” was often portrayed as a strong, educated, and autonomous character, often rejecting the traditional roles of wife and mother in favor of pursuing careers, higher education, and personal freedom. This figure was also linked to the suffrage movement, as many women advocating for the rights of the “New Woman” were also pushing for the right to vote.
In literature, one famous example is the character of Tess Durbeyfield in Thomas Hardy’s novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles (1891), and in non-fiction, it was often represented by writers like Charlotte Perkins Gilman and others who explored themes of women’s autonomy and social roles.
The term was used both to critique and to celebrate the changing roles of women in society, and it remains a key concept in discussions of gender, feminism, and the history of women’s rights.
