John Ruskin’s essay “Of Queens’ Gardens”

John Ruskin’s essay “Of Queens’ Gardens” (1865)

John Ruskin, in his essay Of Queens’ Gardens (part of Sesame and Lilies), speaks about the role of women in society.

Complementary Roles of Men and Women

Ruskin believed that men and women are not the same, but equal in importance.

Men’s role: strength, courage, leadership in the outside world.

Women’s role: love, wisdom, moral strength, guiding family and society.

The “Queenship” of Women

He compares women to queens—not rulers of nations, but rulers of homes and hearts.

A true woman governs through gentleness and influence, not through power.

Women as Moral Guides

Women’s duty is to guide men toward truth, purity, and goodness.

Ruskin emphasizes that women must be educated, but their education should focus on developing virtues, not competition with men.

Education for Women

He argues that women should be taught to read, think, and judge wisely.

Their learning is meant to inspire, comfort, and elevate others, especially men and children.

Ideal of Purity and Protection

Ruskin praises women as symbols of purity and moral strength.

Men may fight battles in the world, but they return home to the peace, love, and moral guidance of women.

Analysis

The essay reflects the Victorian belief in “separate spheres”: men for public life, women for domestic life.

Ruskin’s view was progressive in supporting women’s education, but still limited because he restricted their role to the household and morality.

Today, his ideas are seen as romantic but old-fashioned, since modern society values equality in all spheres.