"I should like to know what is the proper function of women, if it is not to make reasons for husbands to stay at home, and still stronger reasons for bachelors to go out"

This quote by George Eliot talks with the standard gender roles of the 19th century. It recommends that the primary duty of females is to be a spouse and also mom, providing a home as well as family for a husband. It also suggests that the main function of guys is to be a supplier, which bachelors need to go out as well as look for a spouse. This quote mirrors the conventional view of gender duties in the 19th century, where women were expected to stay at home as well as look after the household, while men were anticipated to head out and function to attend to the household. This quote additionally talks with the idea that women are the ones that are responsible for keeping a family together, which males are the ones who are in charge of providing for the family members. This way, the quote reflects the traditional sex functions of the 19th century.