Within the 1800’s social expectations were dictated by men. This resulted in the restriction of women’s choices and opportunities within their lives as they were socially obliged to be subservient to men. Jean Bedford’s ‘Sister Kate’ displays the feminist views of women in Australia in the time period of the 1800’s. Through a variety of different literary techniques, we can see the struggles and hardships that women faced in that particular context, whilst we can also compare and differentiate our understanding of feminism to our modern context.

Through a feminist lens we can see the lack of choice women had in the context of ‘Sister Kate’. The lack of choice for women is displayed in the character of Kate and her disinterest towards her unwanted pregnancies and children- reflecting the lack of contraception in the 1800’s. ‘But I knew it was deeper than that; it was not only the weakness from the loss of blood and the struggle regain. My flesh crawls at the thought of an infant once more suckling blind eyed at my sore breast.’ Feminist undertones are implied through the rich imagery of the burden of motherhood and this is further emphasized through the negative physical undertones of childbirth. A modern audience can understand the absence of knowledge society at the time of ‘Sister Kate’, regarding maternal health and wellbeing. This often meant that women were oppressed by the social burden of bearing a child.

The convention of lack of control is furthermore explored in ‘Sister Kate, as women were exempt from making decisions within the household. We see this in Kate’s relationship with her husband Bill and his overruling control over her. ‘He was surprised, though, at the depth of my despair when he did sell the lease. He came home with the money and I ranted and tried to hit him. He did not slap me back, but held me, not unkindly, until I was through.’