Conceptions of Femininity and Masculinity in the Woman in White

In Victorian times, the roles that work force and women played were tremendously unlike and particular. Women were seen as flighty, emotionally charged and dependent where as men were the dominant, aggressive, decision makers. Often the males role in bon ton was the more significant of the two, and women were seen as the inconsequential homemakers. In the reinvigorated The Woman in White, by Wilkie Collins, we see how the author uses the sex activity roles in order to add to the outrageously scandalous plots and themes with his eccentric characters. Two characters the author uses to portray these masculine and effeminate distinctions are the characters of Marian Halcombe and Mr. Fairlie, and through these distinctions we can see how incisively the author challenges the traditional gender roles of that time. The character of Mr. Fairlie is seen as a physically weak and childish invalid. The physical description condition when Mr. Fairlie is first introduced describes him as having no facial hair, small, womanish feet, and new(prenominal) delicate features.

His beardless face was thin, worn, and transparently pale, but not wrinkled?his eyes were a dim grayish blue, tumid [and] prominent?his hair was scanty, soft to look at, and of that light blonde color?his feet were effeminately small and were clad in buff-colored silk stockings, and little womanish bronze-leather slippers. Two rings adorned his delicate hands?he had a frail?over-refined look-- something singularly and unpleasantly delicate in its association with a man (39). Aside from his very womanly physical features, he is also described as having a weak stamina; please dont bully me, Im not strong enough (160) and being an invalid; My uncle, Mr. Fairlie?he is an invalid (33). Many men of that time, and of that age, were strong, and robust. They were working laborious jobs, or mandating properties and businesses, and although Mr. Fairlie was heading the household he lived in, he neither fazed with, or cared about what went on... If you want to get a climb essay, order it on our website: Orderessay

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