Context

• women in the play (Mrs Cratchit)

  • at the time the play was written women had no equal rights to men and were thought to be legally owned by their father until marriage
  • working in the home and looking after the children instead of going out and getting money as the man wouldnt allow them too
  • women should be obediant and submissive to their husbands
• 1847 working act


  women and children ages 13-18 should work a maximum of 10 hours per day but the play is written in 1843 meaning that Martha can not rely on this role