Išmokytos galvoti - XIX amžiaus rašytojos

ENThe article discusses the cultural conditions under which the first Lithuanian women writers appeared publishing their first literary pieces during the period of Lithuanian press prohibition. Attention is drawn to the state of women in the imperial Russia to which Lithuania belonged at that time, the special focus being placed to the available educational and professional as well as social opportunities in the latter half of the nineteenth century. The article analyzes the reasons why the onset of illegal Lithuanian press was beneficial to women writers' formation. It is maintained that the upper class women of the latter part of the nineteenth century were educated at home. Some of them received their education at boarding schools. According to the author, traditional environment of nobility precluded women from realizing their aspirations for self expression in cultural and social life. The article draws a conclusion that looking from the nowadays' perspective Lithuanian women prose writers seem conscious and adequately aware of the needs of their time.