angel in the house
angel in the house
Pronunciation
Angel: /ˈeɪndʒəl/
An- /eɪn/
-gel /dʒəl/
in: /ɪn/
in /ɪn/
the: /ðə/ (unstressed) or /ðiː/ (stressed, before a vowel sound)
the /ðə/ or /ðiː/
house: /haʊs/
house /haʊs/
Word Form Variations
The phrase "angel in the house" does not have typical word form variations (like singular/plural for a noun, or different tenses for a verb) because it's a fixed idiom. However, one might refer to:
A specific "angel in the house": referring to one individual embodying the characteristics.
"Angels in the house": referring to multiple individuals who fit the description, though this usage is less common and often implies a slight shift in meaning, perhaps referring to a collective of well-behaved or supportive individuals rather than the singular, specific ideal.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
The term "angel in the house" originates from the poem of the same name by Coventry Patmore, published in 1854. It describes the Victorian ideal of womanhood.
Noun
Definition 1: A woman, especially in a domestic setting, who embodies ideal Victorian feminine virtues such as purity, selflessness, submission, domesticity, and cheerfulness; one who prioritizes the comfort and well-being of her family above her own desires or aspirations.
Synonyms: domestic paragon, dutiful wife, self-sacrificing homemaker, virtuous woman (in a traditional sense)
Antonyms: feminist, independent woman, career woman, shrew, rebellious woman
Definition 2: (Figurative, less common) Anyone who consistently provides comfort, support, and a harmonious atmosphere within a home or group, often to the point of sacrificing their own needs or desires for the benefit of others.
Synonyms: peacemaker, supportive presence, comforting figure, pillar of the home
Antonyms: disruptive influence, self-centered individual, source of discord, demanding presence
Adjective
Definition: Describing characteristics or behaviors typically associated with the ideal of the "angel in the house," such as being demure, domestically skilled, devoted, and unassertive, particularly in a familial context.
Synonyms: angelic (in the sense of pure/good-natured), self-effacing, devoted, nurturing, compliant
Antonyms: assertive, rebellious, demanding, self-serving, independent
Examples of Use
Books:
"The enduring myth of the angel in the house has long shaped societal expectations for women, even in modern times." (Laura Beers, Your Britain: British Women's Lives, 1945-2015, 2016)
"Virginia Woolf famously declared her struggle to 'kill the angel in the house,' recognizing the constricting ideal it represented for female writers." (Elaine Showalter, A Literature of Their Own: British Women Novelists from Brontë to Lessing, 1977)
Newspapers:
"Columnist laments that the pressure to be an angel in the house still weighs heavily on many women juggling careers and family." ( The Guardian, March 2023)
"While some idealize the 'angel in the house' as a symbol of domestic bliss, others view it as a relic of patriarchal oppression." ( The New York Times, November 2022)
Online Publications:
"The website explored how the concept of the angel in the house influenced Victorian fashion and home decor." ( Jezebel.com, July 2024)
"A recent blog post discussed how pop culture continues to grapple with, and sometimes subvert, the traditional 'angel in the house' trope." (Literary Hub, April 2023)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
In the TV series Downton Abbey, characters often embody or challenge the expectations of the "angel in the house" through their roles and aspirations. (Often discussed in fan forums and critical analyses of the show, e.g., ScreenRant.com articles discussing character arcs, various dates)
A podcast episode titled "Killing the Angel in the House" might feature discussions with authors and historians about women's liberation and societal roles. (Example of a common podcast title, often found on platforms like Spotify or Apple Podcasts when discussing feminist literature or history, various dates)
A documentary exploring Victorian society might feature academics discussing the impact of the "angel in the house" ideal on women's lives and opportunities. (Example of documentary content, found on streaming services or educational platforms, various dates)
General Public Discourse:
"My grandmother was a true angel in the house, always putting everyone else's needs before her own." (Common anecdotal use in conversation)
"Some argue that the expectation for women to be an 'angel in the house' still subtly influences workplace dynamics and family roles today." (Heard in discussions on social media platforms or public forums discussing gender roles, various dates)
10 Famous Quotes Using Angel in the House
"Killing the Angel in the House was part of the occupation of a woman writer." (Virginia Woolf, Professions for Women, 1931)
"You who come of a younger and happier generation may not have heard of her—you may not know what I mean by the Angel in the House." (Virginia Woolf, Professions for Women, 1931)
"And all these questions, according to the Angel in the House, cannot be dealt with freely and openly by women; they must charm, they must conciliate, they must—to put it bluntly—tell lies if they are to succeed." (Virginia Woolf, Professions for Women, 1931)
"Man must be pleased; but him to please Is woman's pleasure; down the gulf Of his condoled necessities She casts her best, she flings herself." (Coventry Patmore, The Angel in the House, 1854)
"The popular Victorian image of the ideal wife/woman came to be 'the Angel in the House'; she was expected to be devoted and submissive to her husband." (Various literary criticisms discussing Patmore, e.g., Quizlet.com)
"The enduring myth of the angel in the house has long shaped societal expectations for women, even in modern times." (Laura Beers, Your Britain: British Women's Lives, 1945-2015, 2016)
"Virginia Woolf famously declared her struggle to 'kill the angel in the house,' recognizing the constricting ideal it represented for female writers." (Elaine Showalter, A Literature of Their Own: British Women Novelists from Brontë to Lessing, 1977)
"If there was a chicken, she took the leg; if there was a draught she sat in it—in short she was so constituted that she never had a mind or a wish of her own, but preferred to sympathize always with the minds and wishes of others." (Virginia Woolf, describing the Angel in the House in Professions for Women, 1931)
"Thus, whenever I felt the shadow of her wing or the radiance of her halo upon my page, I took up the inkpot and flung it at her. She died hard." (Virginia Woolf, referring to the Angel in the House in Professions for Women, 1931)
"Following the publication of Patmore's poem, the term angel in the house came to be used in reference to women who embodied the Victorian feminine ideal: a wife and mother who was selflessly devoted to her children and submissive to her husband." (Wikipedia, various dates)
Etymology
The phrase "angel in the house" comes from a very specific place: a long narrative poem by Coventry Patmore with the same title, which was first published in installments starting in 1854.
Patmore's poem was essentially a glowing tribute to his first wife, Emily Augusta Andrews, portraying her as the perfect wife and mother. In his poem, he described an ideal woman who was pure, selfless, kind, devoted to her husband and children, and whose greatest joy came from creating a comfortable and moral home. She was seen as almost angelic in her domestic duties and her gentle, submissive nature.
So, the very first known use and meaning of "angel in the house" directly reflected this Victorian ideal of womanhood. It depicted a woman whose entire purpose and fulfillment were found within the private sphere of the home, serving her family and creating a peaceful, virtuous environment. This concept became incredibly popular and influential during the Victorian era, shaping how society viewed women's roles and expectations.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Angel in the House
Killing the Angel in the House: (Directly from Virginia Woolf, referring to overcoming the restrictive ideal of domestic womanhood).
The "Angel in the House" ideal: (Referring to the societal expectation or archetype).
A true angel of the household: (An original phrase, using "angel" to describe someone who is exceptionally kind and helpful within a home, akin to the positive aspects of the original ideal).
An angel on the hearth: (Lesser-known/original, using "hearth" to symbolize the home, similar to "angel in the house").
A domestic angel: (Lesser-known/original, combining "domestic" with "angel" to describe a person who excels in homemaking and has a gentle demeanor).
To be someone's house angel: (Original phrase, meaning to be the one who brings comfort, order, and peace to a particular home or family).
The burden of the house angel: (Lesser-known/original, referring to the pressure or expectations placed upon someone to perfectly fulfill a domestic, supportive role).
Having an angelic presence in the home: (Lesser-known/original, describing the effect of someone who brings serenity and goodness to a household).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of angel in the house from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
