Post by hannahcherusseril on Nov 19, 2015 1:47:40 GMT
In the 19th century, a country really depended on the rigid structure of social hierarchy to keep everything (and everyone) in line. The biggest victim of the oppression caused by social hierarchy, of course, were women. All women were expected to confine themselves in that so called "women's sphere". There was that idea of the model woman that prescribed exactly what a "lady" should act, never mind her own desires. The model woman was expected to be delicate and frail and passionless and pretty much everything that a women is not in today's society. This was just the standard that ALL women were held to. It didn't really matter if you lived in a manor or if you worked at one. But is there actually a difference between the scrutiny of a girl who lives in the manor and the one who works for it?
Think back to the spectrum of the roles of women. On one hand we had angelic and frail characteristics. On the other were intellectual and passionate characteristics (this was not the one people liked to see in women). The woman who was not an angel but was instead considered a monster because she was independent and strong was the "fallen woman". This can relate to how women are often used as religious symbols and icons. The fall from grace of a woman is similar to Man's Fall from grace with God. Being held to a religious standard further emphasizes the strict expectations put on woman. To me, it only makes sense that the higher you are on the social ladder, the farther and more severe your fall.
A woman of low-class standing may be pretty much drowning in poverty. At this point in her life she would do anything to keep herself (and whoever else she has with her) afloat. So selling her body may not be as harshly judged because this is her means of living. She didn't really have a choice in breaking the code of the model woman, which in a sense made it okay. The fall was not very long. BUT, what about the Blanche Ingrams of the world who want for nothing? What happens when she DECIDES to sell her body and do things that a model woman would not do? Society loses their marbles, that's what happens. Higher class women are obviously held to a higher standard and should be the models of the model woman. Additionally, she doesn't have to do anything 'scandalous' to keep her life from falling to shambles. So the fact that a lady, not just a woman but a lady, is choosing to become a passionate monster causes society judge her with a near hatred. Society will always judge a fallen women of high class much more harshly that a fallen woman of low class.
Think back to the spectrum of the roles of women. On one hand we had angelic and frail characteristics. On the other were intellectual and passionate characteristics (this was not the one people liked to see in women). The woman who was not an angel but was instead considered a monster because she was independent and strong was the "fallen woman". This can relate to how women are often used as religious symbols and icons. The fall from grace of a woman is similar to Man's Fall from grace with God. Being held to a religious standard further emphasizes the strict expectations put on woman. To me, it only makes sense that the higher you are on the social ladder, the farther and more severe your fall.
A woman of low-class standing may be pretty much drowning in poverty. At this point in her life she would do anything to keep herself (and whoever else she has with her) afloat. So selling her body may not be as harshly judged because this is her means of living. She didn't really have a choice in breaking the code of the model woman, which in a sense made it okay. The fall was not very long. BUT, what about the Blanche Ingrams of the world who want for nothing? What happens when she DECIDES to sell her body and do things that a model woman would not do? Society loses their marbles, that's what happens. Higher class women are obviously held to a higher standard and should be the models of the model woman. Additionally, she doesn't have to do anything 'scandalous' to keep her life from falling to shambles. So the fact that a lady, not just a woman but a lady, is choosing to become a passionate monster causes society judge her with a near hatred. Society will always judge a fallen women of high class much more harshly that a fallen woman of low class.
