Verified Document

Symbolism In Children's Literature Animals Term Paper

" (Bronte, 1922, p. 28) The young girl was to be defined by her future prospects, being meager, as she was an orphan with little income, she was to be taught an even more extreme form of humility because she would have to use her charm alone to get a good match or secure a position as a governess or ladies maid. There was little love in her early years, whether with her hostile relatives or in her school. As any reader would find it was this poor disposition she gained from her early life that she had to overcome to gain her match.

Just as women were ideally brought up by either love or harshness to meet their place, the young colts are taught the same lessons. Finally the most evident, and disturbing in a modern sense, evidence for the symbolism between the horse and women in this era is the way in which the marriage or ownership match was made. Women were seen at a distance, as women and men had little opportunity for interaction before marriage, they were judged by their appearance their sturdiness and their gentility, much the same way horses on the auction block are judged for future ownership.

There was one man, I thought, if he would buy me, I should be happy. He was not a gentleman, nor yet one of the loud, flashy sort that call themselves so. He was rather a small man, but well made, and quick in all his motions... his gray eye had a kindly, cheery look in it. It may seem strange to say -- but it is true all the same -- that the clean, fresh smell there was about him made rile take to him, no smell of old beer and tobacco, which I hated, but a fresh smell as if he had come out of a hay-loft. He offered twenty-three pounds for me, but that was...

Parts of this document are hidden

View Full Document
svg-one

I looked after him, but he was gone, and a very hard-looking, loud-voiced man came. I was dreadfully afraid he would have me; but he walked off. One or two more came who did not mean business... A very close bargain was being driven, for my salesman began to think he should not get all he asked, and must come down; but just then the gray-eyed man came back again. I could not help reaching out my head toward him. He stroked my face kindly.
Well, old chap," he said, "I think we should suit each other. I'll give twenty-four for him." (Sewell, 1907, p. 161-162)

Marriage negotiation, often mirror this transaction as the woman feels compelled to be treated with kindness, but is pressured by her family and society to choose money over all else. The uncanny nature of the marriage negotiations to a livestock market or a horse fair is indicative of the station that women of this class held within the masculine Victorian society.

References

http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=49023764"(1998). Aristocratic Women and Political Society in Victorian Britain. Oxford: Oxford University. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=99268553

Bronte, C. (1922). Jane Eyre. London: J.M. Dent & Sons. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=80978341

Oliver, E.J. (1956). Coventry Patmore. New York: Sheed and Ward. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=88994351

Patmore, D. (1949). The Life and Times of Coventry Patmore. London: Constable. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=27215314

Sewell, a. (1907). Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse. New York: Dodge Publishing.

Sources used in this document:
References

http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=49023764"(1998). Aristocratic Women and Political Society in Victorian Britain. Oxford: Oxford University. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=99268553

Bronte, C. (1922). Jane Eyre. London: J.M. Dent & Sons. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=80978341

Oliver, E.J. (1956). Coventry Patmore. New York: Sheed and Ward. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=88994351

Patmore, D. (1949). The Life and Times of Coventry Patmore. London: Constable. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=27215314
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Unruly Women of Paris, the Historian and
Words: 974 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Unruly Women of Paris, the historian and author Gay L. Gullickson clarifies a common misperception of history through unfolding a historical narrative and contrasting popular illustrations and images with historical documentation. She makes a contrast between the different images presented in contemporary culture between the behaviors of the women of Paris during the Paris Commune of 1871, and the actual role played by the women of the commune in

Unruly Women: The Politics of Social and
Words: 1304 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Unruly Women: The Politics of Social and Sexual Control in the Old South," by Victoria E. Bynum. Specifically, it will look at why I found the book to be interesting and valuable for research on how women lived in the Old South. UNRULY WOMEN: A REVIEW Unruly Women" is more than just a book about how women lived in the South in the 19th century. It is a graphic history of

Women and Television: What Roseanne
Words: 1520 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Even more interesting is how Roseanne was treated as if she were somehow an anti-feminist because she wished to push her own agenda on the show, creating conflict with one of the producers. Interestingly enough, Barr observed, "I made the mistake of thinking Marcy was a powerful woman in her own right. I've come to learn that there are none in TV. There aren't powerful men, for that matter,

Women and Television
Words: 2703 Length: 10 Document Type: Term Paper

tales we know to be true. They begin with "once upon a time." They end with "happily ever after." And somewhere in between the prince rescues the damsel in distress. Of course, this is not actually the case. Many fairytales omit these essential words. But few fairytales in the Western tradition indeed fail to have a beautiful, passive maiden rescued by a vibrant man, usually her superior in either social

Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution
Words: 844 Length: 3 Document Type: Book Review

Unruly Americans In Woody Holton's Unruly Americans, the author endeavors to bring to light many of the as-yet unwritten aspects of the founding of the United States of America. Many men and women have written on the subject. There are films and documentaries and historical records from a plethora of perspectives. For many people, they only meet with the topic of the Founding Fathers in history class. Holton takes up the

Women Police Officers in Initial Discussion Post,
Words: 727 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Women Police Officers In initial discussion post, briefly summarize readings Kleinig Banks' texts. In addition, initial post discuss journal articles Appendix A. The journal article choose discuss post article chosen week. The post include a question elicit responses peers. Discussion post: Women police officers and the use of coercion According to the article "Women police officers and the use of coercion" (Paoline & Terrill 2005), despite many advances in equalizing the treatment of

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now