New and improved
Subtitle: the transformation of American women's emotional culture
By: John C. Spurlock and Cynthia A. Magistro.
Contributors: Magistro, Cynthia A., 1956-
Series: The history of emotions series; History of emotion series.
Publisher: New York University Press
Published: 1998
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 213
Subjects: Women -- United States -- History -- 20th century; Women -- United States -- Psychology -- History -- 20th century; Emotions -- Social aspects -- United States -- History -- 20th century; Emotions in literature; United States -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Psychological aspects
Description: As the Victorian era drew to a close, American culture experienced a vast transformation. In many ways, the culture changed even more rapidly and profoundly for women. The "new woman," the "new freedom," and the "sexual revolution" all referred to women moving out of the Victorian home and into the public realm that men had long claimed as their own.

Drawing on the diaries, letters, and memoirs of women from a wide range of backgrounds and geographic regions, John C. Spurlock and Cynthia A. Magistro offer powerful insights into middle-class women's experiences of American culture in this age of transition. They document the ways in which that culture - its new technologies, advertising, and movies - shaped women's emotional lives and how these women appropriated the new messages and ideals.

In addition, the authors describe the difficulties that women encountered when emotional experiences failed to match cultural expectations.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 171-206) and index.
Table of contents: title: Self and emotion in the early twentieth century; title: Flaming youth; title: The single woman; title: The flapper wife; title: The silver cord; title: The fountain.