Re: Age Of Innocence (DDL)

Posted by Marcia on July 28, 1998 at 09:29:31:

In Reply to: Re: Age Of Innocence (DDL) posted by Alysha on July 28, 1998 at 07:52:40:

Alysha wrote:

: Haven't seen AOI yet, so I can't really comment on the movie itself. I have a vague idea of what the plot is. But I really couldn't pass up a chance to comment on the supposed "repression". While I must agree some Victorian customs were excessive to the point of stupidity, you can't fault them for being without integrity. At least they honored their marriage vows and intimacy was not looked on as a sport or recreation, as it is in our supposedly liberated times(Ooooo aren't I on the bandwagon today!!). Sorry if I jerked anyone's chain on this one, just couldn't help myself(it's the voices again, you know!)

Hi, Alysha: Actually, according to AOI and other Victorian era books I've read, the integrity of the period was not something to brag about. Mistresses were kept as a matter of convenience by many of the wealthier class of men, and no one seemed to mind. What they minded was anyone breaking the more arbitrary "code" of what LOOKED acceptable for people of their "station." Appearances were EVERYTHING. No one would have cared a whit if Newland had wanted to keep Ellen as his mistress, even after marrying Mae. What they cared about was how it would LOOK if he didn't honor his engagement to Mae, and wanted to marry Ellen, a divorcee. To me, this type of hypocrisy is even worse than some of today's lax standards.

Marcia

Follow Ups:

• Re: Age Of Innocence (DDL) Gayle 10:39:02 7/28/98 (3)
  • Age of Innocence - Newland vs Hawkeye! Marcia 10:57:31 7/28/98 (2)
    • Re: Age of Innocence - Newland vs Hawkeye! Gayle 11:54:59 7/28/98 (1)
      • Re: Age of Innocence - Newland vs Hawkeye! Marcia 12:04:17 7/28/98 (0)

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Comments:
: Alysha wrote:

: : Haven't seen AOI yet, so I can't really comment on the movie itself.  I have a vague idea of what the plot is. But I really couldn't pass up a chance to comment on the supposed "repression".  While I must agree some Victorian customs were excessive to the point of stupidity, you can't fault them for being without integrity.  At least they honored their marriage vows and intimacy was not looked on as a sport or recreation, as it is in our supposedly liberated times(Ooooo aren't I on the bandwagon today!!). Sorry if I jerked anyone's chain on this one, just couldn't help myself(it's the voices again, you know!)

: Hi, Alysha:  Actually, according to AOI and other Victorian era books I've read, the integrity of the period was not something to brag about.  Mistresses were kept as a matter of convenience by many of the wealthier class of men, and no one seemed to mind.  What they minded was anyone breaking the more arbitrary "code" of what LOOKED acceptable for people of their "station."  Appearances were EVERYTHING.  No one would have cared a whit if Newland had wanted to keep Ellen as his mistress, even after marrying Mae.  What they cared about was how it would LOOK if he didn't honor his engagement to Mae, and wanted to marry Ellen, a divorcee.  To me, this type of hypocrisy is even worse than some of today's lax standards.  

: Marcia


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