Friday, February 5, 2010
Ruth and the Fallen Woman
Ruth is the second example of a "fallen woman" that we have read about this semester. Had the attitude changed toward the fallen woman, as much as you can determine from the novel, in the years between the publication of Pride and Prejudice and Ruth? How do you you think Austen and Gaskell felt about the characters that they have "fall?" (Remember to give specific evidence of why you think they feel the way they do from the text of each.)
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The attitude of the "fallen" woman has changed between two novels. In Pride and Prejudice the fallen woman represented in this novel would be Lydia Bennet. Although, Mr.Collins sort of insisted that her father renounce her because of her harlot ways of running off and marrying Wickham she was still accepted by her sisters, and not so much as looked down upon by society because of her sinful ways. In the novel Ruth, so far it is obvious that Ruth is the perfect example of a "fallen" woman, and because she fell from grace the people that cared for her chose to change her identity to protect her and the unborn child.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Austen who herself was a stong willed individual she was represented more by the character Jane who I did not see as a "fall." But Lydia was or could possibly be a representation of someone that Austen encounterd in her life, and who decided to go against family tradition and marry for love instead of wealth. Lydia was very headstrong and running off with Wickham was a disgrace to her father and gave the impression that his daughters are not fit to be married to men with high standards. Gaskell on the other hand gave the impression that the character Ruth was a character that she could relate to because maybe in her life she was that person. Particularly, when Ruth first encountered Mr. Bellingham, and how she fell head over hills in love with him. But even after he abandoned her and she encountered him again after Leonard was six years old there was still a part of resentment deep down inside of her that wanted to understand why he chose to leave her and a part of her that still loved him.
In Pride and Prejudice, a "fallen" woman lost her place in society forever and could even ruin the image of her family. Lydia, the youngest and silliest Bennet sister, ran off with Mr. Wickham. Her family thought her ruined and automatically thought of what other people would say about them. The only thing that kept the Bennets from being neglected by the rest of society was the fact that Mr. Darcy stepped in and bribed Wickham to marry Lydia. The couple was wed before too many rumors had circulated about them staying together unmarried, and so the Bennet name was saved from disgrace. I think Jane Austen saw the ignorance and immaturity that led Lydia to act the way she did. Austen did not necessarily relate to her and it seems as if she agreed with the views of Elizabeth and Jane. We often see things from Elizabeth's end of the story an Jane, after all, shares the author's name.
ReplyDeleteIn Ruth, it seems as if people are a little bit more accepting, but Ruth just got lucky with her company. The Bensons give her a chance in the hopes that the illegitimate child will lead her back to God. Other people, like Mr. Bradshaw, would not be so tolerant of Ruth and the Bensons know this. Faith Benson insists that if Bradshaw knew about Ruth, she would be "turned out of [their] house" (Gaskell 164). Ruth would not be treated with so much kindness on the streets. The world described in this novel is still unforgiving when it comes to bastard children and premarital sex. To me, Elizabeth Gaskell seems to sympathize with Ruth's predicament, although she is aware of the harsh reality that the world does not accept Ruth. Ruth still appears to be amazingly innocent and naive of the dangers her past could bring her to, but Gaskell provides relief for the young mother for the time being.
Windy,
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting how you mentioned that Austen was represented by the character Jane. I merely pointed out that they shared the same first name. Perhaps Austen did this intentionally, but I didn't even think of that when I was reading the story! I also think that your comparison between Elizabeth Gaskell and Ruth, the "fallen" woman, is an interesting observation. It is possible that Gaskell wrote of her own experiences with love when she wrote of Ruth's falling for Mr. Bellingham as well as her resentment towards him later.
Claudia,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about" Elizabeth Gaskell seems to sympathize with Ruth's predicament." But, I would also like to state that considering this book was written from a female perspective in an era that was dominated by men, Gaskell gives us the chance to view the "fallen" woman from the other side of the mirror as one who has fallen but is not depraved.
Ruth is indeed the second example of a “fallen women” that we have read about this semester. She had fallen from mankind due to her naïve innocence of the world around her. She had committed the eternal sin against her body and had the consequence of a son who bore the badge of shame. However this consequence was regarded to by Mr. Benson to be separate from the sin. The son’s badge was hidden in fear of him being rejected and overcome by the cruel world.
ReplyDeleteIn Pride and Prejudice, the fallen woman was Lydia Bennet. She was also a naïve little girl who sought her own pleasure without the regard to the world around her. However, her family, although shunned by the horror at first, learned to make better of the situation and overcome its ramifications. Just as in Ruth, the Bennet family had the same attitude towards the “fallen woman” with their own hidden agenda. Although one is more accepting they both render brutal results if the “cat gets out of the hat.” Yet they are both diligently overcome by various strategies and motives.
Despite the need to hide the error of the fallen women it is interesting to note the author’s opinions of these women. Lydia is viewed to be only a silly girl who seeks immediate gratification. Her actions are simply the consequence of her lack of morals and intelligence. Ruth on the other hand is shown by Gaskell to be only a child who is frail and brittle. She falls because she knows no better. The whole time the reader is able to gather an understanding that her heart is pure and her intentions are good. On the other hand, Lydia’s actions are dismissed due to her jovial personality, lack of social etiquette, and manners. Although shunned at first by the family, she is accepted and the family is able to move on. There are two different views but both seem to result from the acceptance that these two women are products of their environment and know no better. The attitude has changed but the underlying notion remains the same; women are victims.
I have no idea. I could hardly remember the first "fallen" woman we'd read about. I remember now though, Lydia Bennett. I really have a difficult time comparing the two since Lydia was not as clearly focused upon as Ruth. Lydia's situation was a problem though to be sure, but she also had a family in place of a much different social standing than Ruth's, whose situation was different entirely. Ruth was just lucky to find some decent people to love her in spite of her circumstance.They did have to lie about it though - since having a child out of wedlock was uinthinkable. Austen was speaking about the inevitability of the plight of the "fallen woman" in regard to Lydia and Gaskell was invisioning the possibility of a different outcome.
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