Not remarrying
Posted by Linden on April 10, 1998 at 21:24:03:
In response to Mourning period for widow, written by April V. on April 07, 1998 at 22:51:42
] Was the period that a widow waited before remarrying 2 years or something else during these times?
There was a lot to be said for not remarrying. Dickens' David Copperfield is a good example, where a pretty young widow with a young child remarries the ghastly Mr Murdstone, who then tyranises both his wife and her child, as all her property becomes his. The first husband's child gets nothing, unless his father specifically left him property.
Come to think of it, doesn't Hamlet have the same situation?
One reason why widows were considered slightly disreputable - they were the only women who were not under the control of some man.
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