Black Beauty, written in 1877, by Anna Sewell is a progressive text that demonstrates her multidimensionality as a writer. Sewell explores several relevant themes and social changes regarding Victorian England. Sewell’s unconventional writing style, narrated by Black Beauty himself provides the reader with a unique illustration of Victorian society from an outsider’s perspective although he and other horses interact with human lives throughout the novel. Sewell’s ability to incorporate two over-arching ideas of Victorian society, specifically regarding the legislative changes for animal rights, and commenting on the role of women demonstrates her creativity and skill as a writer. In chapter 111, “My Breaking In,” utilizes the house, Duchess, …show more content…
Black Beauty’s mother to illustrate the ideals and roles women hold in Victorian society. Sewell personifies the Victorian women; Duchess to identify the values, beliefs and ideologies to highlight the importance of demonstrating goodness and properness as a woman in Victorian society.
Victorian England was highly impacted by the Evangelic movement that emphasized on self-control, and believed that hard work was the key to success. Therefore, Duchess encompassed the desire to display self-control throughout the novel, under the rule of her master. She was both gentle and obedient and raised her son to exemplify these values in order to survive in a world of both oppression and goodness. Duchess refreshing character acknowledges the good that can come when one conforms to Victorian practices. For example, Black Beauty narrates the uncomfortable and arguably inhumane practices imposed on horses when they are trained to become working horses, Black Beauty states, “Those who have never had a bit in their mouths cannot think how bad it feels; a great piece of cold hard steel as thick as a man’s finger to be pushed into one’s mouth” (Sewell, 14) to identify the degree of discomfort humans impose on horses. This quotes diction, specifically the reference to the bit compared to a man’s finger being pushed into one’s mouth encapsulates an image of extreme exploitation men impose on horses to work. However, following this gruesome image, Black Beauty acknowledges his mother, and how he would see his mother always wearing a bit when she went out which propel him to justify …show more content…
that “with my master’s pats, kind words and gentle ways”…he to states, “I got to wear my bit and bridle” (Sewell, 15). This scene illustrates Duchess as a role model for her son, and the way in which Black Beauty idolizes his mother propels him to be obedient and good as well. By extension, this scene holds merit to the role of women in Victorian society, specifically the importance of being involved in child rearing while satisfying societies expectations of women to be both ‘good’ and ‘obedient’. In addition, Duchess demonstrates her social awareness of these expectations and uses her knowledge to her advantage.
Duchess desires both herself, and her son to be safe and minimize any potential threat of abuse. Interestingly, Duchess is a single mother, a common trend in Victorian society that disrupted the patriarchal structure Victorian society. Duchess character is somewhat of a paradox because she conforms to the traditional expectations of women, while she extends her obligations to take on the role of both Black Beauty’s mother and father. Therefore, she uses her understanding to teach her son the value of being well behaved and maintaining the respectable name her family encompasses, which would often be considered be the responsibility of the man of the house in Victorian society. For example, Black Beauty makes references to one of his mother many lessons she taught him, he states, “She told me the better I behaved, the better I should be treated, and it was wisest always to do my best to please master” (Sewell,
16). Duchess is a gentle and obedient mare, in Chapter III, “My Breaking In”, Duchess exemplifies obedience to satisfy her master and teach her son the value of being respectable. By way of illustration, Duchess identifies as an example for the rest of master’s horses, Black Beauty articulates, “My master often drove me in double harness with my mother because she was steady, and could teach me how to go better than a strange horse ” (Sewell, 16). This textual example exemplifies the fundamental importance of being civilized by denouncing the ‘strange horse’ to be less than his mother because of her steadiness and ability to follow orders. However, although Duchess may appear to be a highly respectable mare, her strategic ability to almost ‘play the system’ reveals her and by extensions the usefulness of social awareness to live arguably peacefully within the oppressive framework of Victorian society. In conclusion, the overwhelming expectations Victorian women endured were unjust. However, Duchess’s ability to demonstrate obedience, gentleness, and remain quiet endorses the structure of what it entails to be a respectable Victorian woman. Her demeanor highlights the way in which women were expected to fit within the domain of men, in which women were expected to be an asset, one of virtue and restraint. In conclusion, the overwhelming expectations Victorian women endured were unjust. However, Duchess’s ability to demonstrate obedience, gentleness, and remain quiet endorses the structure of what it entails to be a respectable Victorian woman. Her demeanor highlights the way in which women were expected to fit within the domain of men, although women were often perceived to be physically weaker they were often admired for their moral superiority to men so that men encompassed more leeway for socially unacceptable behaviour while women bore the weight of Victorian societies expectations.
...es for love and overcame the social expectations of the quintessential woman in the nineteenth century; whereas their counterparts around them would have chosen class and wealth. Edna Pontellier’s decision to move into her pigeon house and away from her husband’s rule and the vexing job of caring for her children was viewed as societal suicide, but to her liberation and self-actualization as a woman was more important. Elizabeth Bennet ultimately disregarded her mother’s wishes, and passed over Mr. Collins, she initially disregarded Mr. Darcy as a possible suitor but love proved otherwise. These women were on a path of destruction to free themselves from a long reign of oppression, their challenge of conventional methods within the nineteenth century, proved successful not only to them, but for a future collective group of women who would follow in their footsteps.
No matter what actions or words a mother chooses, to a child his or her mother is on the highest pedestal. A mother is very important to a child because of the nourishing and love the child receives from his or her mother but not every child experiences the mother’s love or even having a mother. Bragg’s mother was something out of the ordinary because of all that she did for her children growing up, but no one is perfect in this world. Bragg’s mother’s flaw was always taking back her drunken husband and thinking that he could have changed since the last time he...
Morrison’s authorship elucidates the conditions of motherhood showing how black women’s existence is warped by severing conditions of slavery. In this novel, it becomes apparent how in a patriarchal society a woman can feel guilty when choosing interests, career and self-development before motherhood. The sacrifice that has to be made by a mother is evident and natural, but equality in a relationship means shared responsibility and with that, the sacrifices are less on both part. Although motherhood can be a wonderful experience many women fear it in view of the tamming of the other and the obligation that eventually lies on the mother. Training alludes to how the female is situated in the home and how the nurturing of the child and additional local errands has now turned into her circle and obligation. This is exactly the situation for Sethe in Morrison’s Beloved. Sethe questions the very conventions of maternal narrative. A runaway slave of the later half of 19th century, she possesses a world in which “good mothering” is extremely valued, but only for a certain class of women: white, wealthy, outsourcing. Sethe’s role is to be aloof: deliver flesh, produce milk, but no matter what happens, she cannot love. During the short space of time (which is 28 days) Sethe embraces the dominant values of idealised maternity. Sethe’s fantasy is intended to end upon recover, however, it doesn’t, on that ground she declines to give her family a chance to be taken from her. Rather she endeavours to murder each of her four kids, prevailing the young girl whom she named Beloved. Sethe’s passion opposes the slave proprietor’s- and the western plot line's endeavours at allocations, for better or in negative ways. It iwas an act arranged in the space between self-attestation and selflessness, where Sethe has taken what is humane and protected it
During the Victorian Era, society had idealized expectations that all members of their culture were supposedly striving to accomplish. These conditions were partially a result of the development of middle class practices during the “industrial revolution… [which moved] men outside the home… [into] the harsh business and industrial world, [while] women were left in the relatively unvarying and sheltered environments of their homes” (Brannon 161). This division of genders created the ‘Doctrine of Two Spheres’ where men were active in the public Sphere of Influence, and women were limited to the domestic private Sphere of Influence. Both genders endured considerable pressure to conform to the idealized status of becoming either a masculine ‘English Gentleman’ or a feminine ‘True Woman’. The characteristics required women to be “passive, dependent, pure, refined, and delicate; [while] men were active, independent, coarse …strong [and intelligent]” (Brannon 162). Many children's novels utilized these gendere...
The main image that Petry gives of the black mother is Lutie, though there are other images that are crucial in explaining this image. Lutie is a single black mother living on “the street.” Her world revolves around providing for her son, and trying to make sure that they ar...
... than a servant, for you do nothing for your keep.” They also tell her that “to strike a young gentleman, your benefactress's son! Your young master.” The servants respect the Victorian patriarchal society, despite the fact that they are so badly treated through it. Brontë is trying to tell us that this system has been in form for so long, that people are thinking of it as natural, and insists that it should not be so. In Brontë’s opinion, everyone should have equality.
King, in introducing the little convent girl to the reader, goes to great lengths to present her as a dreary and uninteresting creature. She wore dark clothing, sat rigidly upright, secluded herself in her room, and displayed little zest for life. Therefor, when King uses the work "blac...
In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet’s journey to love and marriage is the focal point of the narrative. But, the lesser known source of richness in Austen’s writing comes from her complex themes the well-developed minor characters. A closer examination of Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth’s dear friend in Pride and Prejudice, shows that while she did not take up a large amount of space in the narrative, her impact was great. Charlotte’s unfortunate circumstances in the marriage market make her a foil to Elizabeth, who has the power of choice and refusal when it comes to deciding who will be her husband. By focusing on Charlotte’s age and lack of beauty, Austen emphasizes how ridiculous and cruel marriage can be in this time.
The Infant Child plays a huge role in Blanche’s early life. As a result of her mother’s death, Blanche has a fearful temperament, and
When women are kept in their classical role of mother and caretaker, all is well and their lives are simple. Children relate positively to their mothers in this typical setting; while Dantés was in prison, during a time of distress, he remembered something his mother had done for him. For example, Dumas writes, “He remembered the prayers his mother had taught him and found meanings in them which he had formerly been unaware.” (41). Mothers teach their children to the best of their ability, evidenced in Dantés, as well as when Caderousse says Mercédès is instructing her son, Albert. It is in these moments that a mother’s love, compassion, and necessity are revealed. Lives are calm and enriched as long as women are in their niche. This includes non-maternal nurturing roles, for example, Mercédès attentiveness to Dantés father and Valentine’s special ability to care for Nortier. This loyalty is valued and shown as essential for the stability of life. Though The Count of Monte Cristo depicted women as best suited to the home, they intermittently stepped further out of that r...
The young narrator is not rescued by another male figure, but by her mother instead. Carter signifies that woman can be strong and independent: “Now, without a moment’s hesitation, she raised my father’s gun, took aim and put a single, irreproachable bullet through my husband’s head” (Carter 45). The narrator’s mother shows how she is independent and did not rely on a man to save her daughter; thus, embracing how Carter breaks the gender norm. The mother’s qualities are found in the narrator, as the narrator learns to become a woman like her mother: “Although Carter does not explicitly mention curiosity as a trait the mother has and might have modeled, the mother’s active, devil-may-care life indicates she may possess this trait” (Manley 76). The narrator is very curious, and her curiosity helps her towards becoming a woman. The narrator is curious about the locked door, but also about the femininity she posses about marriage and sex. The narrator searches for an identity in the transition of becoming a married woman. The narrator experiences being a true woman by losing her virginity to the Marquis, as she partakes in sex for the first time. The narrator learns how to appease her husband as she learns how to utilize the act of sex to her advantage. As seen later in the short story, when the keys to the chambers are given to her by the Marquis, she is able to explore the forbidden room where she
... Darcy and Elizabeth. Additionally, Austen sculpts the theme of social expectations and mores using the self-promoting ideology and behaviors of Lady Catherine as fodder for comic relief. Austen does not simply leave the image of the gilded aristocracy upon a pedestal; she effectively uses the unconventional character of Elizabeth to defy aristocratic authority and tradition. In fact, Austen's proposed counter view of the aristocracy by satirizing their social rank. Lady Catherine is effectively used as a satirical representation of the aristocracy through her paradoxical breach of true social decorum and her overblown immodesty. Evidently, Lady Catherine is nothing short of the critical bond that holds the structure of Pride and Prejudice together.
The Marquis’ father made up for the loss of his mother by having a close relationship with his son, but that did not help the negative opinion the young child was already forming about women. The personality conflicts that later arise in de Sade’s life are said to come from his hatred of women because his mother was not present in his childhood (Lever 14). The relationship between the father and son was described as “This symbiosis was undeniably emotional, a pr...
Emily Brontë’s novel, Wuthering Heights, demonstrates a social criticism on women’s power to control their own fate and the ideal women in the nineteenth century. Specifically in Lyn Pykett’s, Changing the Names: The Two Catherines, a strong feminist perspective is explored. In her criticism she goes through many different analyses of Catherine Earnshaw-Linton and her daughter Cathy and what they represent in regard to a women’s power and social expectations in the nineteenth century. Pykett says that the two Catherines represent women’s true nature according to Brontë. Catherine Earnshaw-Linton is faced with the choice between two men but chooses based on what is accepted in her society, the man that can provide her economically, not the man whom she loves. This marriage to Edgar instead of Heathcliff is the source of Catherine’s problems and ultimately her demise. It causes one to question whether it is right to marry for the social aspect or for true love. Young Cathy seems to face the problem her mother has as well but she finds a way to be true to her nature and fight the tyrann...
The roles of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice are contrasted between a father who cares about what’s inside of people and a mother who only worries about vanity and appearance. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s parental guidance is unique to their personalities. Because of their two opposing personas, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet’s ideas of marriage are contradictory for their daughters; Mr. Bennet believes in a loving respectful marriage whereas Mrs. Bennet values a marriage which concerns wealth and social status. Their aspirations for Lydia, Jane, Mary, Kitty and Elizabeth mirror their conflicting ideologies. Mr. Bennet seems to have a quiet deep love for his daughters while, on the contrary, Mrs. Bennet’s love is over-acted and conditional. Both parents help to shape their daughters’ characteristics and beliefs: Lydia reflecting Mrs. Bennet’s flighty and excessive behavior while Elizabeth inherits Mr. Bennet’s pensive and reflective temperament. Looking past their dissimilar personality traits and contradicting convictions, both parents hold the family together and play an integral role in the household structure.