double standard
Posted by Barbara on September 13, 1998 at 22:53:36:
In response to My theory, written by Kay on September 11, 1998 at 21:30:56
[ perhaps she even deceived herself into believing she was in love with her so as to make her behaviour "acceptable" for herself (and that is why she says "sincerely loved you").
] ]
]
] Thanks, Cheryl and Constanza. Your comments helped me read between the lines. I had guessed Tess was raped at the Chase, and for some reason stayed with Alec for at least three weeks. It could have been that she was in the state of shock, but more likely she tried to rationalize that she loved him to save her sanity or her self respect.
I agree that she was raped, and no question about that to us. But for a woman in those times, would she not feel or be made to feel that somehow she "asked for it". I know this is totally against any proper feeling we have now, but was there not really a double standard for women's and men's morals back then? And so, after the rape happened, wouldn't Tess be feeling mainly guilty and as though she somehow had brought it on herself, and therefore "deserved" no better than to stay and be used by a man she didn't love?
- I agree Lesley 23:13:31 9/13/98
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- Yes, well into the 20th century Jane 14:40:33 9/14/98
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- Yes, well into the 20th century Jane 14:40:33 9/14/98
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