Women's voices

"The anthology comprises excerpts from letters, tracts, diaries, magazines, articles, autobiographies, biographies, short stories, and even speeches. The women writers included here address a wide range of issues, some particularly important in the context of the nineteenth century - a time when the demand for social reforms for women began to acquire a political dimension and was perceived as part of a larger national problem. Animate with conviction, most of the writing is observant and sharp, and has an urgency that addresses the reader directly. Traversing a wide canvas, some of the excerpts discuss theatre, dance, travel, and personal experiences, while others dwell on social issues, doctrinal problems, orthodox practises, and the position of women in society."--BOOK JACKET.