A Library of Congress article states: "Russian women did not enjoy the same position as men in society or within the family" (Curtis). In the 19th century, Russian men dominated society over their female counterparts. In fact, people were not only defending social values. Patriarchy was codified into Russian law in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Russian legal code gave husbands, or male heads of household, almost unlimited power to make decisions within the (“Russian”) family. Wives were expected to obey their husband's every wish and demand without saying anything. Even though Madame's husband is dead by the time we are introduced to the character, we can still see the patriarchy involved. Gayev, Madame's brother, seems to be the one who makes the final decision for the family in the play and it is he who accompanies Lopakhin to the cherry orchard auction, even though he has proven time and time again that he was completely incompetent at doing business. Madam surely knows this and does not react because it has been conditioned in her to obey all the orders of a man.