Intentions
Posted by Cassia on November 25, 1997 at 19:47:34:
In response to An observation, written by Mark on November 24, 1997 at 09:55:27
While watching P&P2 last night, a thought struck me.
] Do you realize that we, along with the P&P world, heap scorn upon the two younger Bennet sisters for being such terrible flirts, and yet nobody thinks twice about the way all the officers return their attentions in spades.
] Are we employing a double standard? After all, it takes two to tango, does it not?
Perhaps it isn't just a question of flirtation but also one of the intentions of the young men involved. Lydia and Kitty prefer any man in an officer's red coat without any regard to whether the men who wear the coat can provide any kind of living. In an era when gentlewomen didn't work outside the home, this is a very important consideration. Also, Lydia and Kitty didn't just flirt indecriminately, tehy flirted with all commers. This would still cause a few eyebrows to raise even with our sexual liberality.
As for the men, they wouldn't have been judged to have behaved badly unless the intensity of the flirtation was enough to arouse the idea their being a prelude to an engagement.
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