Gevirtz (English, Seton Hall U.) notes that widows personified most of the expected behaviors of the era's women, from chastity and submission to wanton excess. But more importantly, they
reflected the change from the agrarian to the industrial empire, a form of capitalism into which certain forces wanted women excluded. Gevirtz argues the widow was essential to the period's
efforts to establish gender role within emerging capitalism, citing not only the authors in her book's title but also court records and the papers of private charities, many of which are
revealed for the first time here. She backs up her assertions by providing materials on earlier versions of widowhood, which may have been the best and most independent time of life for some
women, in contrast with the often destitute situation of Austen's and Defoe's widows. Distributed by Associated University Presses. Annotation 穢2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
