Final answer:
Women in the era of suffrage were viewed as belonging to the private sphere, whereas public life was reserved for men. Suffragists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton argued against this perception, advocating for women's right to vote and equal status. Harry Burn's vote reflected the societal division, with suffrage supporters advocating for equality and opponents fearing changes to traditional gender roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the era of women's suffrage, women were generally viewed through a lens of domesticity and were expected to remain in the private sphere, while men participated in public life. Those like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Sojourner Truth challenged these perspectives by articulating arguments for equality and the right to vote. Stanton asserted that women had the right to determine their role and responsibilities instead of having them dictated by men, reflecting the notion that societal expectations were not aligned with the capabilities and desires of women.
In the context of Harry Burn's vote, which was decisive for the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote, the arguments for and against his support reflected broader social views. Supporters of suffrage argued for equality and the dismantling of gender-based restrictions, while opponents feared the undermining of traditional gender roles and the contamination of women by the 'rottenness of politics.'
The struggle for women's political participation and equal rights was marked by debate, intellectual discourse, and opposition that often escalated to personal attacks and societal consequences for those supporting the movement. Despite gaining rights, women continued to encounter societal pressures to conform to stereotypical roles, a tension that persists to some degree in modern politics.