Were typical Victorian women allowed to challenge men?

Question

It's for my essay on women in 'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens

Answer 1

Why does there have to be a feminist spin on everything. I would refuse to do the essay.

A great deal was achieved by Britain during the Victorian era.

Answer 2

It depends on what class of woman you are talking about (working class, upper class), during what part of the Victorian era (it started in 1837 and ended in 1901) and under what circumstances. Privately, between husband and wife over household matters, I'm sure it happened all the time. In public, over political or civic matters, it was probably unheard of.  

Answer 3

Not legally.  In those days, men had almost complete control--for example, they could lock their wives up for refusing s*x.