Final answer:
In the era of Mark Twain, women were often stereotyped as being domestic caretakers, restricted from public and economic life. Despite Queen Victoria's reign, women commonly lacked property, income, and political rights, and faced overarching societal constraints across class and race.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Twain's time, women were often stereotyped as being confined to the "woman's place." This typically meant being limited to domestic roles and responsibilities, serving as caregivers and homemakers, and being excluded from spheres of power and independence. Upper-class women were expected to maintain a proper domestic existence, while poor women sometimes worked as domestic workers or in light industry, though they faced criticism from the upper classes for such roles. Women in general had few rights to property, income, and political participation, and little control over their own bodies, particularly in the context of marriage.
The most influential figure of the era, Queen Victoria, ironically contrasted with the widespread limitations placed upon women. The pioneer wife faced additional severe hardships on farms and in growing western towns, without many legal rights or access to healthcare. The stereotypes extended across different races as well, with black women often being portrayed negatively due to prevailing racist attitudes.
Educational opportunities for women were scarce until the 19th century, which significantly impacted their chances to contribute to fields like literature, as pointed out by Virginia Woolf. Despite the lack of opportunities, there were always those women who aspired to break free from societal expectations and sought to engage with the arts, poetry, or any other form of self-expression available to them.