Re: Age Of Innocence (DDL)

Posted by Gayle on July 28, 1998 at 10:39:02:

In Reply to: Re: Age Of Innocence (DDL) posted by Marcia on July 28, 1998 at 09:29:31:

: 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

Marcia and Alysha,

There's another level to this, too. What LOOKED right for men as opposed to what LOOKED right for women were considered to be two different things altogether. And guess who set the rules?

Gayle

Follow Ups:

• 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)

Post a Followup

Name    : 
E-Mail  : 
Subject : 

Comments:
: : 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

: Marcia and Alysha,

: There's another level to this, too.  What LOOKED right for men as opposed to what  LOOKED right for women were considered to be two different things altogether.  And guess who set the rules?

: Gayle


Optional Link URL:  
Link Title:         
Optional Image URL: