Thanks Fran for this great article!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2013/01/29/the-politics-of-downton-abbey-down-with-the-patriarchy/
The strange thing is that I was having this conversation with a friend of mine just the other day after church. The disparity between the outcome of one woman's tryst and another woman's depending on who had the money and the connections. Here I am siting the Ethel/Mary stories.
The other point in those stories is the utter audacity of the men involved. So, only the men (who no one can tell me are without any relationship issues themselves) can determine the purity/worthiness of the women?
Not only that but clearly the women are who have been supporting the follies of many of the men. Sybil and Branson, love Branson though I may, when he abandoned Sybil to run away from Ireland the week prior we saw who the strong one was. Now, grant you, Sybil has the benefit of being the daughter of an Earl but still...he abandoned her when she was pregnant and let her travel alone. Livinia dies so Matthew can have the woman he really loves. It is brutal. But in so many ways, they all gives over their lives for the men.
But the death of Sybil will change that, at least I think. Cora could forgive the loss of money but I am not convinced that she will trust his judgement again...so it is a new day for the women of the Abbey.
I was also talking with another friend about what the attraction of Downton Abbey is. Well, it is historical fiction to me, and I like that. I also enjoy the landscape and the prettiness of everything...especially the dresses and the library. I like the story since there aren't many of those anymore. The acting is fun...as she points out...Maggie Smith is a pearl but there are others. (I walk around saying "Mr. Bates" like Anna) But I think there is also something to the civility. Which most often I appreciate but when Sybil died I wanted to go and shake his Lordship. Cora needs to unleash some American on him!
But I do think that we long for a more civilized society...it is good to see people speak more gently whatever the backdrop. As when Rosamond says to the Dowager, "You know me Mama, I have to speak my mind." The Dowager answers, "And why is that? Nobody else does." There really is something to that, especially in light of putting in a political context as what's his name from Fox News did (which to clarify his statements are ridiculous!) :)
Anyway, let me know your thoughts on this. As a side note, the girls and I sat down to watch Season 2 Episode 1 and the power went out....we were all dejected (even though it will make it my 3rd viewing!)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2013/01/29/the-politics-of-downton-abbey-down-with-the-patriarchy/
The strange thing is that I was having this conversation with a friend of mine just the other day after church. The disparity between the outcome of one woman's tryst and another woman's depending on who had the money and the connections. Here I am siting the Ethel/Mary stories.
The other point in those stories is the utter audacity of the men involved. So, only the men (who no one can tell me are without any relationship issues themselves) can determine the purity/worthiness of the women?
Not only that but clearly the women are who have been supporting the follies of many of the men. Sybil and Branson, love Branson though I may, when he abandoned Sybil to run away from Ireland the week prior we saw who the strong one was. Now, grant you, Sybil has the benefit of being the daughter of an Earl but still...he abandoned her when she was pregnant and let her travel alone. Livinia dies so Matthew can have the woman he really loves. It is brutal. But in so many ways, they all gives over their lives for the men.
But the death of Sybil will change that, at least I think. Cora could forgive the loss of money but I am not convinced that she will trust his judgement again...so it is a new day for the women of the Abbey.
I was also talking with another friend about what the attraction of Downton Abbey is. Well, it is historical fiction to me, and I like that. I also enjoy the landscape and the prettiness of everything...especially the dresses and the library. I like the story since there aren't many of those anymore. The acting is fun...as she points out...Maggie Smith is a pearl but there are others. (I walk around saying "Mr. Bates" like Anna) But I think there is also something to the civility. Which most often I appreciate but when Sybil died I wanted to go and shake his Lordship. Cora needs to unleash some American on him!
But I do think that we long for a more civilized society...it is good to see people speak more gently whatever the backdrop. As when Rosamond says to the Dowager, "You know me Mama, I have to speak my mind." The Dowager answers, "And why is that? Nobody else does." There really is something to that, especially in light of putting in a political context as what's his name from Fox News did (which to clarify his statements are ridiculous!) :)
Anyway, let me know your thoughts on this. As a side note, the girls and I sat down to watch Season 2 Episode 1 and the power went out....we were all dejected (even though it will make it my 3rd viewing!)
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