The Angel in the House

"The Angel in the House" is a phrase coined by the Victorian poet Coventry Patmore in his poem of the same name. It represents the idealized image of a woman who is self-sacrificing, nurturing, and devoted to her family, embodying domesticity and virtue. This concept became a cultural standard in the 19th century, influencing societal expectations for women, emphasizing their roles as caregivers and moral guides. The term often critiques the limited and submissive roles women were expected to fulfill, highlighting a tension between traditional femininity and emerging feminist ideas of independence and self-identity.