The Perfect Woman?

This section of The Angel in the House seems to be an almost how to description of the perfect wife. Patmore starts out by using imagery to make the woman appeal to almost every means of desire for him: she is as close to perfect as she can be while still being able to take care of the things that need to within the house. She makes him feel happy, allowing him to sing and express how carefree his life is because of her. The interesting thing is that even though he truly wants to tell her how he feels he cannot, saying that he basically goes numb, can’t think, and words don’t come out. I feel that this sensation might be very similar to most guys who find themselves genuinely in love: they love and admire them so much but find it difficult to put these thoughts and feelings into words.

I felt that this poem put women in such a light that it almost makes it hard to live up to the angel. She is so perfect and fulfilling that Patmore is saying that every woman should strive to be like her, although none of us will reach that level of perfection, especially during this time period. This poem seems to give women hope that this level of perfection is obtainable, while giving men the satisfaction in knowing that it isn't but that we will still try daily to please them: thus the epic battle of the sexes continues.