Quote:
Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl
I didn’t have a problem with the treatment of women especially in the context of the time period. I thought Jane was pretty brave given the situation of being in the jungle all night after being kidnapped by Terkoz. I didn’t see her as being helpless but rather unprepared for the situations. I thought it was also good that she formed her own opinions about Tarzan and willing to speak up about him to the others about not being as savage as they thought, e.g. staying longer to wait for the French Captain’s return rather than set sail immediately. If I’m lost in the woods and need to survive, I’d be happy to have my husband there to defend me and take care of me because I know we have different skills in different scenarios. I’d probably be pretty hysterical too if I were deserted from my boat and trapped in the jungle and scared of wild animals. I don’t think Esmeralda’s antics were much different than women fainting and having fits in Regency and Victorian novels.
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What she said.
Jane seemed pretty brave and independent overall (just going on the expedition in the first place is brave). The men around her, though, seemed condescending and overly protective. She accepted their protection (why wouldn't she, in the middle of jungle?), but she didn't act helpless and fluttery, and she did stand up to them. Her decision not to marry Tarzan is practical and logical, not romantic. She's not letting her heart rule her head.
In contrast, Alice is depicted as much weaker and inept, but even she shows remarkable bravery in wanting to shoot the attacking ape. It's a low bar, but Jane is certainly a step up from pitiful, doomed Alice.