Shattering the Glass House of Mirth

Lily manages to secure privacy with Seldon avoiding as much attention as possible. Even the insinuation of Seldon and Lily being in a relationship would be especially detrimental to her social standing. When surprised with the appearance of Mr. Rosedale, she innately lied only later realizing the true effect of “yielding to a passing impulse” (Wharton 15). Her mistake would “cost her rather more than she could afford” (Wharton 15). Lily Bart lived in a society where even slightest blunder could result in severe social... ... middle of paper ... ... true love for Seldon is felt but never verbally expressed.

The reason behind his cruelty to the students is of intentions not to "mortify in these girls the lusts of the flesh" but to render them hardy, patient, and self-denying. Although feminism is evident for the reasoning of Brocklehurst, Maggie Berg states that " Lowood deprived its pupils of their female individuality because of their corporate identity as orphans. "(48) This prudence towards the originality of Jane and the other students creates a level of stature that isn't respected by the higher authority of Lowood. The "custom" of feminism in the Victorian age is riddled by this status which Jane encounters while growing up as an orphan. "It is abundantly evident that women continued to rank as second-class citizens"(Norton 903) to men and Jane realizes this through her work as a governess.

Often in life there is a conflict between what is good for the individual and the moral values placed upon the individual by society. This is true of the characters in George Bernard Shaw's play Mrs. Warren's Profession. Shaw clearly demonstrates that actions frowned upon by society are not necessarily evil so long as they benefit the individual. Perhaps the most obvious example of societal morals conflicting with individual need is the case of Mrs. Kitty Warren. Mrs. Warren is a woman whose economic standing and lack of any professional skills forced her into becoming a prostitute.

The final resolve of her “awakening” to her desires, her ultimate suicide, is not an honorable position that women should strive toward as a romantic ideal because her desires were hopeless in her situation. Through Edna’s striving for personal satisfaction, she loses the joys that daily life has to offer. Theoretically, Edna’s need to fulfill her personal desires is the cause of her demise. Edna chooses to associate and be enamored with Robert. In doing so, Edna begins to step farther and farther away from her family and sees their needs less clearly.

She was always speaking and acting on behalf of women’s rights, yet now she has not fulfilled these expectations. She has been subjugated and indifferent like the rest of the women, not at all optimistic and energetic like she was in her previous life. Her complicity shows the reader how oppressive the society is and how even the toughest characters become

On the one hand Wharton delivers a critique of this society but is also attracted to it- she judges Lily’s character but makes her very attractive. It is difficult not to sympathize with Lily, who was brain-washed into being an avaricious climber by her mother. The predatorily, gold-digging mentality of Lily’s mother is evident when Wharton writes, “She remembered how her mother, after they had lost their money, used to say to her with a kind of fierce vindictiveness: “But you’ll get it back- you’ll get it all back, with your face.” This portrays the shallowness of that society, where women were taught that their looks were a main commodity that was traded for financial stability. Wharton shows the high price of maintaining a comfortable social position and the behind-the scenes... ... middle of paper ... ...rying hard not to look like they are showing off, they are doing just that. On the contrary, new-moneyed speculators like Rosedale were not as subtle, and worked on making eye-catching expenditures.

says Sheila, showing she has been influenced by the Inspector when her mother has not. In the context of this play, Mrs Birling is not a very amiable character. Although she does what she believes is right, she is also judgemental of everyone and is too aware of the divisions in the social class system to be liked by both the audience and members of her own family.

When her family goes bankrupt, Lily is left searching for security and stability, both of which, she is taught can be only be attained through a wealthy marriage. Although, Lily is ashamed of her society’s tendencies, she is afraid that the values taught in her upbringing shaped her into “an organism so helpless outside of its narrow range” (Wharton 423). For Lily, it comes down to a choice between two antagonistic forces: the life she desires with a happiness, freedom and love and the life she was cut out to live with wealth, prestige and power. Although, Lily’s upbringing conditioned her to desire wealth and prestige, Lily’s more significant desires happiness, freedom and love ultimately allow her to break free. The world in which Lily grows up in is one where money is the standard by which everyone is judged.

The suffocating expectations of society are perhaps the central foundation to the claustrophobia formed. Similarly, both Katherine and Mariam’s actions are perceived as a woman’s transgression of ‘moral codes’ and social conventions within the Renaissance society, both are condemned for them. Mariam eventually meets a more tragic fate although, one could argue that Mariam, even if it is through death, is at least liberated, Katherine, on the other hand, must continue to live in suffocation. The ‘too rough’ character of Katherine, is displaced within society, and isolated in the domestic space. (Shakespeare, 1982:109) She disappoints in conforming to the mould of a demure obedient maiden, and is thus rejected by her society.

Jane does not let her affections overtake her morality, though her return to Mr. Rochester proves passion to be stronger than reason. Women in the Victorian era were held to an inferior status. Many had to hide their feelings, conceal their creativity and they were sought to conform to societal rules. Jane Eyre never quite followed this, growing up in a contemptuous household Eyre acted out, calling her provider, Mrs. Reed, "deceitful" and describing her upbringing as "miserable cruelty" (Bronte 37, 36). Jane's upbringing instills her strong belief in justice toward those who treat others unfairly.