In chapter 16 Helen describes her experience of being courted by men and the burden of choosing the right man to marry. There are many sensible men to choose from but that does not mean they are worthy of her love. Her family doesn’t necessarily believe that she should follow her heart but more so her head. She feels that it is more important to love rather than make the act of marriage a transaction. When Boarham becomes infatuated with Helen he asks her family if he can marry her. Helen is disgusted that he didn’t consider her feelings in the matter. This experience seems to highlight the way society and men view marriage. It was less about love and more so about sensibility. Many women would be lucky to marry this man because he is “successful” and can provide for her. I think my remaining questions after this chapter were more about how he could have fallen in love with her. Are there no consequences for rejecting marriage? Men seem to carry the most power in the world and while he begs her to agree she still says no and even though he is upset nothing really comes of it. Annabella has a different vision for herself and only wants to marry for the provision that her husband can bring her and not for love. Society seems to revolve around the idea that women need a man to gain any power and to some, that means sacrificing the possibility of real love. How scary is it to know that you could marry a man who would use his power and the laws against you? If you choose love are you losing more in a bad marriage than if you married for security?

Class Discussion:

  • Progress=less external restraints (reform)
  • Property- working women (wages, land, personal)
  • What about possession? Gaining protection is essentially the loss of freedom…
  • To reform, you have to re-educate