Overall, this research experience has been very enlightening to me concerning the

Victorian era and all of the events that occurred within it including the always-transforming
general feelings of the British population. Earlier, I stated: The Picture of Dorian Gray presents a
complex view of marital patterns, gender roles, and sexuality in the Victorian era. This statement
still remains true, although now I withhold a much deeper understanding of this fact. Marital
patterns involved the marriage of one boy to one girl, usually with the girl being younger than
the male and the male being of wealthy descent. Women were heavily economically dependent
on their male counterparts but werent permitted to focus too much on finding a husband, as it
suggested that the female had a worrying sexual appetite (Hughes). The Christian religion also
directed the majority of the Victorians by guiding their decisions in life, including marriage.
Women in the Victorian era were deemed as the weaker sex to the oppressive,
authoritative males (Marsh). The males suppressed the females to continue dominating in every
aspect of life; this includes the fact that only men were able to possess demanding or laborious
tasks. Women were only permitted to work with textiles, food, and homemaking whereas men
could withhold any career they wanted such as a job in engineering, construction, mining, or the
armed forces. Homosexuals were likewise oppressed by the Victorians, as they were hardly
allowed to make an appearance in the community without being shamed or sent to prison. Laws
prohibiting homosexuality increased significantly throughout the Victorian era and ultimately
ended up imprisoning Oscar Wilde.
It definitely impacted me learning how tough it was to be either a woman or a
homosexual man in the era, as I learned that discrimination was a big issue prohibiting women
and gay men from simple pleasures of life including withholding a job that appeals to an
individual or simply being out with ones significant other. I find it incredibly interesting to see

how the times have changed; women are now nearing men with equal wages and gay marriage
was recently legalized in all fifty U.S. states. Due to this research project, I am now able to
educate others on the discrimination so apparent against women and gay men in the past.
Learning history is important so that the present doesnt repeat past issues.
I am very grateful to have received the opportunity of researching and reflecting on the
past, as it has opened my eyes to the opportunities present today. This experience impacted me
personally since I am a woman who must continue to fight for equal rights in society today. Due
to this project, I am more likely to rally equal rights to ensure that all individuals can experience
any opportunity or pursue any career that they wish. I am also more likely to research other
events in equal rights history that have led society to where it is today. If given the chance to
further my research on equal rights, I would definitely continue to look into it.