Gender expectations

Quote

Character

Chapter

“Some of the ladies started back, as if half ashamed of their feminine interest in dress”

Narrator

1

“[Edith] was in a humour to enjoy showing her lover how well she could behave as a soldier’s wife.”

Narrator

1

“[Margaret was] a daughter who was so far from regularly beautiful”

Narrator

2

“[Mrs Hale] would rather have wound up the dinner in the proper way... but... she could only submit”

Narrator

3

“How different men were to women!”

Margaret

4

“Margaret felt guilty and ashamed of having grown so much into a woman as to be thought of in marriage”

Narrator

4

“[Margaret] did not know if her father might not be displeased that she had taken upon herself to decline [Lennox’s proposal].”

Narrator

4

“I know so well your mother’s married life has not been all she hoped – all she had a right to expect.”

Mr Hale

4

“Her movements[were] full of a soft feminine defiance”

Narrator

7

“I mean that, after allowing her feelings so to overcome her, I consider your bound in honour”

Mrs Thornton

23

“If I saved one blow, one cruel angry action that might otherwise have been committed, I did a woman’s work”

Margaret

23

“I am a man. I claim the right of expressing my feelings”

Mr Thornton

24

“I never saw such a little awkward, good for nothing pair of hands. Run away, and wash them, ready to cut bread and butter for me, and leave the fire. I’ll manage it.”

Frederick

30

“Margaret fulfilled one of her sea-side resolves, and took her life into her own hands.”

Narrator

49

“Don’t go and have a strong mind.”

Edith

49

“They’re not fit for ladies.”

Edith

51