“Lecture IV. Duties of Contract: Wives. — Friends” is directed, like the rest of The Duties of Women lectures, at both feminist and non-feminist audiences and may be intended to mediate public perception of the feminist movement in the late 19th century (Hamilton, 2002). Based on this audience, Cobbe appeals to them using themes that will connect with her audience while she challenges them in her personal life. Mainly, Cobbe includes commentary about religion and traditional marriage roles in Lecture IV. The religious investigation of this text will focus on an introduction to religion in the late 19th century and Cobbe’s personal rejection of traditional Christianity. These broader concepts of religion trickle down to more specific incidents of Cobbe’s religiosity in her own life, including other works where she draws on religious ideals (despite her rejection of the organized religion) like she does in Lecture IV. The marriage investigation will focus on an introduction to marriage roles and expectations in the late 19th century, Cobbe’s rejection of those marriage roles and her identity as a lesbian woman in a lifelong partnership, and Cobbe’s legislative work regarding divorce. These two paths of religion and marriage, finally, converge to demonstrate the paradox of feminist recovery in “Lecture IV. Duties of Contract: Wives. — Friends” and in Cobbe’s work as a whole.

Read "Lecture IV. Duties of Contract: Wives. — Friends” then navigate to our Religion in Lecture IV page to learn about specific religious influences on Cobbe's work and how she utilizes her "radical" religious views to appeal to an audience who had very orthodox beliefs.