I was surprised by the amount of female agency in this
novel, as relating to women and their relationships. As Kate remarked, there is
a great deal of discussion in this novel about marriage. I found it very
interesting the way each woman took the reigns (in certain respects) in regard
to her final matches. Mary Crawford often trampled on the lines of propriety
when talking to Edmund, something he often found more charming than alarming.
Fanny Price refused to give into Mr. Crawford’s numerous proposals, because she
did not think they would be happy, and she was put off by his flirtatious
personality. Maria marries her original pick (for money) but eventually chooses
to elope with Mr. Crawford. Finally, Julia chooses to marry Mr. Yates. While
some of these choices stain the Bertram’s family name, it is interesting that
all of these young women are taking control of their lives to a certain extent.
It is also notable that of all the women, Fanny Price ends up with perhaps the
best and least controversial match. If there was a message from all of this, I
think it shows that wealth cannot buy manners, as the wealthiest women in this
novel seem to misbehave the most.
While the women in the novel do have some agency, I do not think that they used their agency for positive things. As I highlighted in my previous post, Maria elopes and Julia marries Mr. Yates. Like you point out, these choices have negative impacts on the family. However, Sir Thomas eventually accepts the marriage. The decision for many of the women to participate in the play forced them to participate in a scandalous production. However, despite Fanny’s refusal, she still ends up having to fill in at the end. Overall, the highlighted the immorality of the choices that many of the women made or will make in the novel. I therefore question the extent of the female agency in the novel. Do they have agency? Or is it an allusion?
ReplyDeleteNot only do the wealthiest women misbehave, but also it seems women show no support of each other's agency or attempt to gain it. Mrs. Norris is absolutely terrible to Fanny for the majority of the novel, denying her every opportunity. The sisters refuse to show Fanny any kindess, and her only solace is found in Edmund and eventually Sir Thomas, whom also empowers her to go to balls and make her own marriage decisions.Even Mary, Fanny's "friend" does not bother telling her of her brother's scheme to make her fall in love with him. Though it seems women have more agency in this novel, it definitely does not come through support of each other. It seems every action of women agency always needs the support and actions of men to justify it, such as Sir Thomas agreeing to Fanny's marriage refusal and Edmund's support of her decision. Women display agency, but it seems it is often only possible when confirmed by men's support.
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