The perception of women through the male gaze has been looked at comparatively through many works. This is a long standing idea, Men perceive women as vulnerable and constantly objectify them – even in todays society. In the time of The Yellow Book, women were on the rise. They were hard workers and played an important role in the economy. They were also becoming bolder. Many women would go out with their friends to places like music or dance halls. Here they would inevitably encounter men. This context is an interesting and important one because in situations like these, one may be able to see an example of the shift of male to an equal or female dominated society. The women no longer went to these events to find a man but instead went to have fun with friends which was a very interesting idea. Through the patriarchy, men were commonly viewed as more than women, and though history they have taken this idea and exploited it. They try to show their dominance over women and are commonly left confused when it does not end the way they thought it would. Although, in the 1890s women began to feel more comfortable within themselves and confident and were able to take charge of themselves. 

    Women in "Ada Lundberg" by Walter Sickert and "To Every Man a Damsel Or Two" by Arthur Cosslett Smith defy the idea of a male gaze. They are women who are at the centre of their own story. These are just two examples of a turning of societal norms in places such as the music hall. Together, women of this time begun to break out of their shells and develop unique personalities within social scenarios. In these two works the women are the centre of attention and are still connected to men, but are no longer objectified by them. The phallocentric culture is slowly disappearing and instead a more equal society takes its place.