¶ … feminist implications of Maria Edgeworth's novel, Belinda. In many ways, Edgeworth's Belinda seems to flaunt the 19th century ideas about the proper behavior of women in society.
Yet the novel also indicates and does little to challenge many the accepted roles of women in society. The relative success of Jane Austin's novels in comparison to Edgeworth's may be related to our modern conception of an English lady as cultured and demure above all. All in all, Belinda is an important look at women's roles in 19th century Europe.
A chapter-by-chapter summary of the plot may be useful in putting the rest of the essay in context. Edgeworth's novel is made up of an impressive 31 chapters. Chapter I simply introduces the reader to the characters, and chapter II Masks continues a conversation between Belinda Portman and the Lady Delacour, after which they leave to the house of Lady Singleton for a costume ball and meet Clarence Hervey, who embarrasses himself and Belinda in a case of mistaken identity. After the party, Lady Delacour reveals that she is dying to the grief-stricken Belinda.
In chapter III and IV the Lady Delacour tells Belinda the lengthy story of her life. In chapter V, Belinda reflects on Lady Delacour's life, and concludes that since money and a good marriage did not make the Lady happy, they may not make Belinda happy. She says as much in a letter to her potential benefactress and aunt, Selina Stanhope. She meets Clarence Harvey again who is determined to make up for his embarrassing behavior at the costume party. In chapter VI, Lady Delacour and Belinda discuss the charming young Clarence Hervey, and Belinda receives a letter from her aunt, Selina Stanhope that expresses surprise and indignation at Belinda's feelings.
In chapter VII, Sir Philip Baddely, Clarence Hervey and other men enjoy a feast of food and wine, and Clarence becomes unconscious during a drunken swimming contest, and thereby meets Dr. X. Chapter VIII finds the personable Clarence Hervey at a party thrown at the house of Lady Anne Percival, an attractive woman who is the unacknowledged daughter of Lady Delacour.
In chapter IX, Clarence Hervey takes Dr. X to see Belinda (of whom he is enamored) at Lady Delacour's house. After the men have gone, Lady Delacour describes her hatred of Mrs. Luttridge and disinterest in Lady Anne Percival. Chapter X shows Lady Delacour's desire to outshine Mrs. Luttridge during the king's birthday. Lady Delacour's carriage overturns on the way to the birthday in an accident with Mrs. Luttridge's carriage, and Lady Delacour is hurt, and Dr. X is summoned.
In chapter XI, Dr. X. arrives, but Lady Delacour has recovered, and he is dispatched after giving Belinda a letter regarding Lady Delacour's illness. Clarence Hervey comes to visit, and later Belinda hears a rumor that Clarence is in love with a girl named Virginia St. Pierre. In chapter XII, Sir Philip visits Belinda, and tells her of Clarence's affection for her. In chapter XIII continues the relationship between Lady Delacour, Belinda, and Clarence.
In chapter IV, Belinda and Lady Delacour discuss an operation that could possibly save the Lady's life, but Lady Delacour notes sourly that the suggested operation cannot occur without the Lord's consent. In Chapter XV, Belinda reads a letter from her aunt that suggests Belinda is behaving in an unladylike manner. The two argue bitterly over the letter, and Belinda leaves the house.
In chapter XVI, Belinda goes to Lady Anne Percival, and experiences domestic happiness in their house. Chapter XVII begins with a discussion between Belinda and Mrs. Freke, who spread rumor of the relationship between Clarence Hervey and Lady Delacour. Belinda meets Mr. Vincent. In chapter XVIII, Mr. Vincent brings up the differences obvious between the happy, domestic Anne Percival and Lady Delacour, but Belinda quiets him by noting her friendship with the Lady Delacour. Lady Anne Percival tells Belinda of Mr. Vincent's affection for Belinda, and Belinda tells Lady Ann about Clarence Hervey. In chapter XIX Belinda learns of Lady Delacour's poor health, and decides to return to Lady Delacour. In XX, Belinda is taken into the lives of Lady Delacour and Clarence Hervey. In XXI, we see the cold interaction of Lady Delacour and her daughter Helena.
Chapter XXII, titled A Spectre, Lady Delacour is attended by a surgeon, and prophesizes that she will die that night and speaks of a vision that has visited her three times. The specter turns out to be Mrs. Freke. Lady Delacour learns that she will recover completely, and the bruise on her breast was not truly cancer. In...
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