Quote:
Originally Posted by Bookpossum
I know what you mean, desertblues: it's all the angling to land a husband and of course some lovely little snide remarks in the narration. A couple of examples I particularly liked:
In Chapter 3 the reference to the drawing-room - its elegance made it unfit for general family use, but "It added, however, not a little to the glory of Mrs Masters' life."
In Chapter 24, when it was decided to go ahead with the ball despite the hunting accident: "They all took their places with a lugubrious but business-like air, as aware that they were sacrificing themselves in the performance of a sad duty."
Despite all the angling and conniving, you have to feel sorry for women in Arabella's situation: no independent wealth, not able to go out and get a job to support themselves ... I don't blame her for feeling weary with it all!
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As I understand it up til the last 60-70 years that was the way life was for most women. Few jobs outside the home were available and if she had one (prior to marriage) she gave it up after taking her vows, and any inheritance she received was controlled by her husband (for good or ill) since he was the head of the household. WWII brought in a lot of changes I think.