Charolette Temple
...t clean and neat because this was another duty and concern of a woman at this time. Taking care of the house and caring for the family was another feminine concern. She is compared to a flower throughout the conversation between Mr. Eldridge and Mr. Temple. The flower is representative of the female because it is beautiful and it is delicate much like the female form. “…when I am gone, who will protect that fair bud of innocence from the blasts of adversity, or from the cruel hand of insult and dishonor”(pg.884). I noticed that Lucy was much stronger than her father, she was able to withstand losing her mother and her brother unlike her father who became sick and bedridden. She kept the home together and supported her father and herself. She was very sad when her father mentioned dieing because this was a feminine anxiety. She loved her father very much and could not bare the thought of losing him. Lucy also obeyed her father and followed his orders when they were given; this was the feminine way of life. Women obeyed their fathers and husbands; their lives revolved around the men in their family. “Go my love; leave me now; to-morrow at your usual hour I will expect you”(pg.885). She was too delicate to hear her father’s conversation with Mr. Temple. Lucy’s mother could not bare to lose her son and her husband and without them she no longer wanted to live; but she mentioned nothing about Lucy. “…My poor boy, said she, I will not be parted from thee: husband! Son! both at once lost”(pg.888). Lucy is a character in this story that shows how strong women really are. Another character is Miss Weatherby, who is described as a wealthy, beautiful young woman. Mr. Temple is being pressured into marrying her even though he does not love her. One of the only ways a woman could establish her independence and have some power was by being wealthy. This is still the case today. A woman is more desirable when she is wealthy. This is also the case with Julia Franklin who was also a wealthy young woman. She was described as the lively girl because she was wealthy and Charlotte was the poor fallen girl because she had ruined her reputation. Montraville chose Miss Franklin over Charlotte although it seemed that he loved Charlotte more. Julia Franklin was more desirable because Montraville was not of wealthy status and with Charlotte he would never be wealthy. When he married Miss Franklin he took control of her fortune. La Rue was another fallen girl because she had also ruined her reputation. “…Miss La Rue had eloped from a convent with a young officer, and, on coming to England, had lived with several different men in open defiance of all moral and religious duties…”(pg. 892). A woman’s virginity was the most important thing she had without it she was ruined. La Rue in a way tried to run from her past and lie about why she was not a virgin, as she did with Colonel Crayton. Her lies caught up with her and soon she was doomed just as Charlotte was. Charlotte Temple began with all the right virtues until La Rue influenced her. One of Charlotte most important feminine concerns was her mother. Girls’ were taught that even their mother’s feelings were more important than their own. Girl’s feelings were always pushed to the bottom. The entire time Charlotte was gone all she worried about was her parents and how she had hurt them. She held her parents above everyone else. “…she indulged, of being once more folded in their protecting arms, and hearing the words of peace and pardon from their lips” (pg. 908). Her anxieties went away when she was in their arms because that is where she felt most safe. M...