Chapter 5—Sentimentalism
I am acquainted with a number of cases where the women have
thought their marriage a misfortune. They have read novels until
their imaginations have become diseased, and they live in a world
of their own creating. They think themselves women of sensitive
minds, of superior, refined organizations. They think themselves great
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sufferers, martyrs, because they imagine their husbands are not so
refined, not possessing such superior qualities that they can appreciate
their own supposed virtue and refined organizations. These women
have talked of this, and thought of it, until they are nearly maniacs
upon this subject. They imagine their worth is superior to that of other
mortals, and it is not agreeable to their fine sensibilities to associate
with common humanity.
The women of this class have had their imaginations perverted
by novel-reading, day-dreaming, and castle-building; by living in an
imaginary world. They do not bring their ideas down to the common,
useful duties of life. They do not take up the life-burdens which lie in
their path, and seek to make happy, cheerful homes for their husbands.
They lean upon them without so much as bearing their own burden.
They expect others to anticipate their wants, and do for them, while
they are at liberty to find fault and to question as they please. These
women have a sort of love-sick sentimentalism, constantly thinking
they are not appreciated; that their husbands do not give them all that
attention they deserve. They imagine themselves martyrs.
The truth of the matter is this: if they would show themselves
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useful, their value might be appreciated; but when they pursue a course
to constantly draw upon others for sympathy and attention, while they
feel under no obligation to give the same in return, and pass along,
reserved, cold, and unapproachable, bearing no burden for others, or
feeling for their woes, there can be but little in their lives precious and
valuable. These women have educated themselves to think that it has
been a great condescension in them to marry the men they have; and
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