Wednesday, March 28, 2012

I love old ladies, but...

Maybe someone can help me, because I am having a little trouble understanding the women in this book. In general, I love old ladies-they are hilarious and don’t have a care in the world about what other people think about them. My grandma, for example, just says whatever is on her mind (no matter how rude or out of place the comment may be). The ladies in Cranford, however, seem obsessed with their appearances and reputations.  For example, when the ladies hear of Lady Glenmire’s visit, “each one rapidly review[s] her wardrobe” (68). In another example, Mrs. Matty has to practice how she will address Lady Glenmire. I love when she says, “I shall feel so foolish and hot, saying it the first time to lady Glenmire” (70). Mrs. Matty cares so much about how she will look in front of Lady Glenmire. I would rather have a woman character that doesn’t care how she looks!

Now that I think more about it, I suppose it comes down to the fact that these women are so preoccupied with being proper! Properness is why they care so much about what cap they are wearing and why they care if tea is served in a timely manner. I am still not sure if I am satisfied with this answer though. Again, I would rather have a character who didn’t care about being proper.

In addition to appearance, the role of gossip troubles me in this novel. Gossip seems to be a key theme to the Cranford women, as they “collect all the stray pieces of intelligence in the town” (82). What else are the women going to do, but sit and talk about Cranford? Their excessive discussions make me wonder about the role of stereotypes in Cranford.  In today’s society at least, women are very much stereotyped to be gossipy. Was the same true in Gaskell’s time? If so, is Gaskell reinforcing this womanly stereotype through her women characters?  Or is Gaskell pointing out the absurdity of gossiping women? I suppose I am just not sure what Gaskell’s point is with these old women. I love them, but I do wish they would do something more than just have parties.
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2 comments:

  1. Jennifer CraverMarch 30, 2012 at 7:25 AM

    I agree that the women seem so preoccupied with really trivial things!!!! Instead of doing what I usually do, I didn't immediately turn myself off to the book and I allowed myself to finish it before making my opinion. I now find the whole book pretty funny. I think Gaskell's point was to illustrate how ridiculous it is for people to obsess over such trivial things. I think she may have gone the extreme route, with Turbans and oranges, but of all the books we've read, we see how the female characters are immersed in gossip and societal standing, according to what their neighbor's say.

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  2. Jennifer CraverMarch 30, 2012 at 7:25 AM

    I agree that the women seem so preoccupied with really trivial things!!!! Instead of doing what I usually do, I didn't immediately turn myself off to the book and I allowed myself to finish it before making my opinion. I now find the whole book pretty funny. I think Gaskell's point was to illustrate how ridiculous it is for people to obsess over such trivial things. I think she may have gone the extreme route, with Turbans and oranges, but of all the books we've read, we see how the female characters are immersed in gossip and societal standing, according to what their neighbor's say.

    ReplyDelete

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