While reading the first few chapters of Adeline Mowbray I found it difficult to determine how Opie felt about women's education. At first it seems she depicts Mrs. Mowbray in a flattering light, praising her unparalleled genius, and yet as the novel continues Adeline's talents seem to be the more practical. Adeline, after being properly taught by Mrs. Woodville, proves that her talents in "feminine chores" and being educated in "feminine arts" are more useful than her mother's eccentricities. Dr. Norberry also has more admiration for Adeline, than her mother because of her knowledge of feminine work. It is not until after her grandmother's death, however, and Adeline's freedom to educate herself on whatever she chooses that she is able to converse with her mother and Dr. Norberry. Although Dr. Norberry praises Adeline for the work she was taught by her grandmother he also compliments Adeline on her wit. Opie seems to present an ideal education for women as being taught in both types of education and yet the "housewifery" is the only work that she has written as having practical application.
This representation of education made it difficult for me to sort out how I viewed Adeline and Mrs. Mowbray. I was originally taken with the idea of a woman being viewed as superior to even her parents based on knowledge rather than beauty. However, Mrs. Mowbray is deficient in every other arena. Her genius prevents her from being the mother she ought to be to Adeline and she is so exceedingly arrogant that she proclaims that all of Adeline's accomplishments are a result of her own genius. Adeline becomes quite knowledgeable and remains humble, she is portrayed as the heroine because she is the well-balanced character. Is Opie saying that women should be knowledgeable but not openly display their wisdom?
Not only is Mrs. Mowbray falling short in the mother department, she is also lacking in her duty to her fellow men and women. Too wrapped up in philosophizing and imagining reforms for society, she is oblivious to the suffering around her (another form of hypocrisy in Opie's novel). Adeline, on the other hand, visits the poor and comforts them in their sickness. She is known as a benevolent benefactress among the peasants. I might be reading too much into this, but it seems as though Opie is commenting on the hypocrisy and uselessness of Mrs. Mowbray's education. She spends her time "imagining systems for the good of society, and the furtherance of general philanthropy," but her intelligence does not help society at all. Instead, the improperly educated Adeline makes the most difference in the community.
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