As a result of this, social mobility was limited at this time and people socialised in small circles, with only those of a similar class. Any socialisation out of this was seen as absurd. It was women especially that felt the limitations of the late 18th century/early 19th century, as there were strict expectations of them. Women were seen as possessions of men, and expected to be educated and well behaved, mostly in hope to ensure themselves a husband of wealth in order to further themselves as women did not inherit any land or money from their fathers, this went to the closest male relative. Any kind of acting out of against the expected image of a woman would be seen as shameful and would lead to isolation even further in terms of socialisation and the hope of a husband.
In comparison Fay Weldon’s Letters to Alice, written a few centuries after, shows a clear link of how particular concerns, held by society, have altered. A women living in the late 1800’s had very few rights and freedoms. Education was a thing men and if a women engaged in such activities she was at risk of being shunned by society or “left on the shelf.” Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice follows a young girl, Elizabeth Bennet, who struggles against society’s expectations. Being a smart and well educated women, she is somewhat frowned upon, however this has been disguised by Austen through her dialogue. An example is seen near the beginning of the book in which Mr Darcey and Mr Binley’s brother are engaged in polite conversation.
However if the responder were to read Fay Weldon’s Letters to Alice on first reading Jane Austen, the connections between the two would shape and then reshape the responder’s understanding of both texts. The two texts are connected most obviously through Weldon’s commentary and analysis of Austen’s writing and social and historical context. However the two texts are also connected through their didactic purpose, examination of values, use of epistles and their female author’s status and feminist messages. Whilst all of these connections do enrich each text, it is to a limited extent as both texts also work in isolation. Aunt Fay writes to her niece Alice in the hope of teaching her about Austen and her writing and what better way to do that than by direct reference to Austen’s most successful text, Pride and Prejudice?
Why could any challenge to the concepts of 'separate spheres' and 'angel in the house' be seen as a challenge to the structure of society as a whole? Explain your answer using the sources and information from this unit. The concepts of separate spheres and angel in the house were both ideas which emerged during the Victorian era, at a time where patriarchy was very evident within society. Although many (especially women) kept their views and opinions quiet about this strikingly unequal balance between men and women in 19th century Britain, others expressed their judgements in the form of narrative paintings, allegorical poems, newspapers and books. These began to surely challenge the concepts of angel in the house and separate spheres and perhaps depict and criticise them as being something unrealistic and futile.
These were at first common among the educated, urban, wealthy and middleclass dwellers (.Reynolds, Jenny, and Penny Mansfield 1) This later spread to rural dwellers. Women were oppressed and were not allowed to talk about how they were dissatisfied or mistreated in their marriages. During this period, opposite-gender marriages were practiced, and girls were marrying at a remarkably young age. Women were submissive to their husbands, and marriages were mainly planned, other than the couples
The conversation with Dionne and Tai in a café replaces the conversation Emma has with Harriet about marriage as Cher’s dilemma is not whom to marry, but with who she should lose her virginity. Ironically marriage is still presented as the ultimate goal for a woman which is indicated in the last scene of the film where a determined Cher captures Miss Geist’s bridal bouquet. Marriage in the late 20 century is no longer seen as a mean to financial security but also seen as disposable in the case of Mel and Josh’s mother’s divorce. These examples have represented the social values within a context can impose upon texts and demonstrated how these values may evolve over
This would have been out of her frustration and pathetic state of her being. Her suicide is like a consequence of refusing to be the female role of society, or as they would call it, “Victorian Women”. Edna basically chooses death as an escape for her not being able to have independence. Edna seems to be stuck between certain females in her society. This is what creates isolation, lonely feelings to in the end due to her suicide.
Critic Carley Rees Bogard contends that Edna gets pulled into a “web of romantic illusion” and that too much focus is put on the sexual encounters and not her efforts to become herself. On the other hand, for Edna, sexuality is how true freedom presents itself. With complete disregard to the stereotype of “mother-woman,” Edna fights against the demands of 1899 that regulate her to be a controlled and dutiful housewife (Chopin 8). In The Awakening, Kate Chopin symbolically traces a 19th century woman’s steps toward enlightenment to an ultimate choice. Chopin created one of the most memorable feminist icons of the feminist movements before we knew what being a feminist really entailed.
One of the major factors contributing to the change of marriage in the United States is the economy. The transition from an agricultural economy to an industrial economy definitely impacted the formation of the family forever, especially for African Americans. As our economy changed so did gender roles; which is another agent in family formation. Though women didn’t enter the workforce in vast numbers until 1970 or so (Hattery-Smith, p. 46), they have caught up and even passed their male counterparts in the African American community, causing conflict between the normality’s of American life and their own realties. Gender role differences aren’t the only reason African American men are being surpassed by their female counterparts in earnings, but because of incarceration rates.
‘Compare and contrast the function of class in Wuthering Heights and Great Expectations.’ In this essay I will be looking at Charles Dickens 1860 novel Great expectations and Emily Bronte 1847 Wuthering Heights. Both Novels where written in the Victorian Era when class was one of up most important factors in society. The early nineteenth century saw the beginning of the industrial revolution. A lot was changing at that time as old money was being contested with new money. A new breed of middle and upper class where fighting their way into the limelight, and seeking to be social accepted.