"Ladies Journal": women and urbanization in the Court

Abstract

In the middle of the 19th century, the Court centre of the Brazilian Empire went through special re-shaping; with the surplus of the capital resulting from the end of the traffic of slaves, the sewer system and gaslight were implemented, which brought about new forms of sociability for women and children. The elite families started to stroll on public sidewalks and the Ouvidor street, where there were cake shops and elegant stores. In this context the Jornal das Senhoras in the Imperial Court, allowed the women to read French serials such as Alexandre Dumas, "The Lady of the Camellias", to play piano pieces, know French fashion, and to debate the moral emancipation of women through education.