Evolution of Women and the Department Store in 19th Century Paris

The mid nineteenth century in Paris was a time to begin the transformation into the modern world of the Paris, as it is known today. The development of Paris was caused due to political upheaval and revolution. The cities evolution occurred with the help of political freedom, population spikes, and the development of industry throughout with addition of new industry. In particular the department store, which first appeared in Paris in later period of the nineteenth- century. The implementation of this industry saw new opportunities for women that allowed them to progress socially through the idea of the department store; however, author Emile Zola explained in his book The Ladies Paradise saw women as a target of seduction to which everyday commodities were designed to manipulate women's desires and subject them to the whims of capitalist industry. On the other hand it was seen as progress for women that began enabling them to accomplish things women were never permitted to do before. The factors accounted for into the development of the department store are far to in depth to incorporate into this essay; therefore, the essay will focus on the positive impact the department store had on women in terms of progressing as a gender. It will investigate the department stores role in the modern woman through this new modern capitalistic industry as well as the social and economic impact.

Zola's analysis of women in The Ladies Paradise being sucked into a dream machine full of consumer capitalism can easily be seen to be true; however, through this dream world women began production despite their consumption. This stimulates the economy through purchases and creating new markets. Zola speaks on the department store as eating away at everything from the husband's money to local business. Department stores for all intensive purposes helped o modernize housewives and too stimulate the economy.

Before Hauzminazation and the second empire (1852) women in nineteenth century Paris was a time of confinement for women. Their duties expected them to stay at home with the children, to cook, and housekeeping. Women did not travel throughout the city while unaccompanied or take strolls down the street for the idea of being seen. The wide boulevards, monuments, arcades, and sanitation wasn't implemented which made Paris a medieval style city with sanitation risks for just walking down the street. Since the transition into a clearer healthier Paris implemented by Napoleon III has not taken place the arcades and fine art was present and Paris was still trying to come into it's own. This limited women from becoming empowered through the idea of representation and being seen which the "new" Paris provided. The "old" Paris idea buying necessitates and owning a small wardrobe bought from small business, shops, and center were still present. Due to the size of the business the clothes were not as cheap and only