DH : CLiC Dickens Project
Hello viewers!👋
I am Maya Batiya,
A student of M.A. sem-3 Department of English, M.K.B.U.
This blog is part of a lab activity for the Digital Humanities unit assigned by Dilip Sir. It involves reviewing the activity book from the CLiC Project at Birmingham University.
# DH : CLiC Dickens Project
∆∆ Education, women and governesses in the 19th century
In the 19th century, education for women and the role of governesses underwent significant changes.
The British Library video "The Governess" offers a detailed depiction of the life and societal role of governesses in 19th-century British society.
∆ Life of a Governess
1. Role and Responsibilities:
Governesses were employed to educate and care for children in middle- and upper-class families. Their duties often included teaching a wide range of subjects, such as languages, music, and manners, as well as overseeing the children’s general upbringing.
2. Social Status:
Governesses occupied a complex social position. They were generally educated and held a professional role, but they were not considered part of the family and were often isolated. Despite their educational background, they were frequently viewed as lower in social status compared to their employers.
3. Economic Challenges:
Governesses typically earned modest wages and faced economic insecurity. Their employment was often unstable, and their status in the household could be precarious, with limited opportunities for social advancement.
4. Literary Representation:
Governesses are frequently depicted in 19th-century literature, reflecting their significant yet often troubled position in society. These literary portrayals highlight the struggles and limitations faced by governesses, providing insights into their experiences and societal perceptions.
∆∆ Novels Featuring Governesses
Several classic novels feature governesses as central characters, reflecting their important yet challenging roles. Notable examples include:
1. "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë:
This novel features Jane Eyre, who works as a governess at Thornfield Hall. Jane's experiences as a governess and her struggles with class and gender issues are central themes of the story.
2. "The Governess" by Sarah Fielding:
Although less well-known, this novel presents a detailed depiction of the governess's role and challenges in the 18th century.
3. "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James:
In this novella, the unnamed governess is the central character, whose experiences in a remote mansion are marked by both personal and supernatural challenges.
These novels explore the complexities of the governess’s life, often highlighting themes of social class, personal dignity, and the quest for autonomy.
∆The social status of governesses in Pride and Prejudice
In Pride and Prejudice, the line “Has your governess left you?” appears in a context that sheds light on the social status of governesses and their treatment within families. Here’s a summary based on the passage:
∆Context and Evidence
1. Social Position and Treatment:
The passage, found in Chapter 29 of Pride and Prejudice, reflects the governess’s position as somewhat detached from the family. The use of the term "governess" indicates that she holds a professional, yet lower, status compared to the family members. The question suggests that the governess’s presence is routine and not intimately integrated into the family’s social circle.
2. Contrast with Families:
Families who employed a governess were typically from the middle or upper classes, indicating a level of affluence and a desire to provide their children with a refined education. However, the governess's status was often ambivalent, characterized by social isolation and a lack of true integration into the family.
3. Implications of Employment: The presence of a governess highlighted a family's attempt to conform to societal expectations regarding education and propriety. Families who did not employ a governess might have had fewer resources or different educational priorities, or they may have relied on other forms of education, such as private tutors or family members.
∆ Interpretation
1.Professional Yet Isolated:
The governess's role was essential for the educational development of children, yet she often occupied a liminal space between servant and educator. Her professional duties were crucial, but she was not considered part of the family’s social circle, reflecting a hierarchical and somewhat alienating position.
2. Class Distinctions:
The treatment of governesses in the novel underscores the social class distinctions of the time. While they were educated and employed in respectable roles, their social standing remained precarious and distinctly lower than that of their employers.
3.Family Dynamics:
The passage illustrates how the employment of a governess affected family dynamics. The governess’s status as a “hired help” often placed her outside the familial bond, emphasizing the social divide between her and the family members.
In summary, the passage from Pride and Prejudice reveals the governess’s complex social status and the distinctions between families who employed governesses and those who did not. It highlights the governess’s essential but marginalized role within the household.
∆∆∆ Children’s feelings about governesses
∆ Initial Reactions:
Early references might reveal children’s initial reactions to governesses, often reflecting their attitudes towards authority figures and structured education.
∆ Emotional Distance:
Look for passages that show how children relate to governesses emotionally. This might include feelings of resentment, indifference, or a sense of distance due to the governess’s role.
∆Role and Influence:
Identify how the governess’s presence influences the children’s behavior and attitudes. Does the governess play a nurturing role, or is she seen primarily as a disciplinarian?
∆ Character Development:
Observe how interactions with the governess contribute to character development for the children. Are there moments of change or growth in their perceptions of her?
∆Social and Personal Impact:
Consider how the governess’s role affects the social dynamics within the story and the personal growth of the children. How do their feelings about her reflect broader themes in the novel?
∆∆∆ Growing up in Great Expectations
When examining how different authors use body parts to characterize their characters, it’s evident that each author has a unique approach. For instance, the word "chin" appears 317 times in Dickens’ 15 novels but only once in Austen’s 7 novels. This frequency difference highlights the varying emphasis each author places on this feature for characterization.
Similarly, looking at the word “lips,” it appears 797 times in Dickens’ works compared to just 42 times in Austen’s. This disparity provides insight into how body parts like the chin and lips are employed to convey character traits and mood. By analyzing these occurrences, we gain a deeper understanding of how different authors use physical descriptions to enrich their characters.
Thank you... 🍁🍂🍁
