Student Essay on Individual and Society- Persuasion and Wives and Daughters.

Individual and Society- Persuasion and Wives and Daughters.

Summary:   The effect of social paradigms on individuals in their society is represented in the 1866 novel `Wives and Daughters' by Gaskell and the `95 version of Austens 1818 `Persuasion'. In these texts, the heroines must balance their emerging sense of self with their observiance of gender and class conventions. Wives and daughters is about dutiful, sweet Molly Gibson and her more worldly step-sister Cynthia.

The effect of social paradigms on individuals in their society is represented in the 1866 novel 'Wives and Daughters' by Gaskell and the '95 version of Austens 1818 'Persuasion'. In these texts, the heroines must balance their emerging sense of self with their observiance of gender and class conventions.

Wives and daughters is about dutiful, sweet Molly Gibson and her more worldly step-sister Cynthia.

It is a text that seemingly conforms to prevailing gender assumptions but really, has a quite subversive message. As depicted by the title, Molly grows up amidst a society rampant in gender roles - the progression from daughters into wives is seen as natural. Molly is restricted by the set female roles- and policed by quote 'Little birds' or social gossip. She finds a conflict between her self and society in a scene when she meets a man to protect her sister Cynthia and this is innocent act is misconstrued. Her father tells her ' You cannot tell what evil constructions are put upon actions ever so slightly beyond the bounds of maidenly propriety...'. From this, Molly understands that deviating from social values on female propriety can, quote 'blacken a girls reputation for life...' but she continues protecting her sister, as she places her personal values over what her society dictates. The quote, 'The towns talk...what business is it of theirs"' justifies this, and shows Molly as an emerging agent for self- determination, especially since the connection with flirtatious, scandalous stepsister Cynthia rejects traditional oppositional images between the 'good' and 'bad' girls.

Femininity is linked with quote 'gossip, romantic unreality and ...changeability..' However, this femininity is also shown in men through Osborne who is quote 'half woman himself, he spends so much money and is so unreasonable...' .The fact that Osborne embodies all these female delegated characteristics suggests that Gaskell sees the gender role division as neither natural nor consistent.

Molly is shown in a positive light whilst asserting her identity against self- denying standards and being infantilised, for e.g. in the pet 'my silly little Goosey' which denies her responsibility and choice by reinforcing the male speakers superiority. So, through Mollys identity assertation,

Gaskell defies restrictive cultural constructions of womens roles in her era. This is also shown in the quote,

'Thinking more of others happiness than of her own was very fine but did it not mean giving up her very individuality, quenching all the warm love, the true desires, that made her herself"'

Persuasion is also about the effect of social and personal pressure on individuals. Anne Elliot is persuaded in her youth into rejecting quote 'A man with nothing but himself to recommend him' 'No fortune, no connections' as, quote, 'I have an obligation to my family'. Her beloved Frederick Wentworth returns from the wars 7 yrs later richer, and thus more powerful. But, the Elliot estate has dwindelled and Anne is still unwed- turning down beneficial offers to her, and through her, her family, as it defies her personal wants.

Women in Austens historical context were expected to marry well and produce heirs to reflect honour on their families and create alliances and connections. To be Unmarried was to be dependant on the generosity of male relatives- Annes friend Mrs Smith's sufferings provide an example of what happens in their absence.

The aspect of individual in society is shown as Anne is juxtaposed against her dominating family the Elliots and, although she is a quiet doormat whose wishes are ignored, when responders learn her true character- her modest, respectful values, we trust her judgements quickly and see the need for correct standards. She is placed in a positive light. This isn't a modern influence, but implicit in the plot and dialogue, although the 95 version does cast Anne as a practical, down to earth character and add other influences like purposely play Modern audience nostalgia for the gallant days of ball gowns and men on horses- through tall handsome Frederick and the romantic music of Debussy.

Anne shows knowledge of her societies constraining womens roles when she says 'We live at home, quiet, confined.'

And through this understanding she is better able to follow free will and her views.

For example, Anne is outspoken about the meaninglessness of social groups that are so vital to her father and sister. quote ' My idea of good company...clever, well informed people '.

When Anne snubs a Vicountess to have her tea with quote an 'invalid... with little to live on' - this is a powerful example of Anne having her own concept of her identity in a hostile society. This is the only time she gets angry in the film, and her only fight with her father - which she wins.

Anne has to assert this power of choice and capability- indicative of the individual, against her vain, silly father who acts as a foil.

Anne is rational and able to understand quote 'plans of economy' even though she is female, whilst Mr. Elliot squanders his money to the point of near ruin. As is said to him,

'I hate to see you talking about all women as if we were fine creatures and not...rational beings.'

From this, we see that Anne has to balance not only with gender conventions, but also on economic and class paradigms.

In this era, of privilege of rank and social status, it was also a time of rapid evolution with wealth distribution from industrialisation and the Napoleonic wars. The use of the Wentworth family's rise in social position shows this, Further, the near bankrupt Mr Elliot's offence at having an admiral rent his home, from quote 'Obscure birth into undue distinction' is symbolic of the conservative reaction from the 'old money' who has to make way to new officer's fortunes.

Persuasion juxtaposes poorly the leisured gentry against active naval officers of an acquired status and the navy gives Anne the most positive marriage model in the seafaring, happy Mr and Mrs Croft suggesting the previous social heirachy was unjustified.

In comparison Wives and Daughters, also shows a shifting social heirachy. The affluent neighbouring heir Osborne's secret wife is a hated French, catholic servant- and according to author Pam Morris, Gaskell is depicting that in her, as mother of the heirs to the Hamley estate, ' the future lies not in any English pedigree but in a Darwinian hybridity of classes, nations, beliefs and languages.' An rich, neighbouring old squire who says quote 'I like honourable blood', represents the English past, while his scientific son Roger represents the future changing identity of England. Roger can be seen to be modelled on Darwin whose 1859 'Origin of the Species' was a major influence on philosophical paradigms and the trend away from religious dominance, and also in economic paradigms: i.e. The monetary benefit from colonialism was okay as the English were superior in 'survival of the fittest'. For e.g. Colonial beliefs are represented by Mrs Gibson wrapping herself in an Indian shawl.

Overall, Molly and Anne aim for their own sense of self against their observiance of social values- the positive representation of this reaction against constraints is suggestive of the individualist views of Austen and Gaskell, in whose historical context not everyone was ready for. These texts are challenging. The subversive message against existing paradigms of both are effective because of the strong characters who are sound examples of agents of self determination. As is described of Molly, 'Your grain is different somehow'.