One of the events that transpired in this second half of the book that impressed
me was Mrs. Darrell’s speech on her views of the land laws. The whole event was
revealing of her true nature, a nature that we have known as readers since the
beginning of the novel. She was honest, showing integrity and firmness of
spirit, and assumed responsibility in deceiving her husband and those involved.
As it pertains to the author’s views on women, this character has voice and
imposes her voice over that of men. However, the author makes it known that she
has no seat among the men in the “colony”, for none offer her one, she simply
steps in and speaks. That is a rupture in the behaviours set by women in the novel.
Mrs. Darrell expresses a forward opinion of the Law, on matters of the land, on
business, conscience and ethics.
In contrast Dona Josefa, Mercedes, Elvira, Mrs. Mechlin (George’s Aunt) all
seem to fit this “mold” of womanhood where matrons impose tradition and customs
for the younger ones to follow. This is representative of the time in which
these events transpire. Making Mrs. Darrell are the more interesting. I believe
the chapters at the beginning of the novel that describe her somewhat independent
lifestyle as a single young woman foreshadow her “forwardness” later on. That even
as a married woman and mother she sets her own terms and philosophy of life, one
that is passed on to her son.
In a way I would say that Mrs. Darrell and her husband don’t share a conventional
marriage. We see that she plays a more active part in the lives of her sons,
she is the one that makes them better men. We see that this emasculates Mr.Darrell. A striking scene is one in which
he has a fit of anger and his own son laughs at him. In that same fit his wife joins
the group and inquires after what her husband has done, treating him as a child,
having to justify his actions. Clarence and her sons look for her approval and
opinion, she garners their respect. These are all qualities that traditionally
are held by a man in relation to his sons. Such is the relationship Don Mariano
holds with his own sons and even Clarence.
Mrs. Darrell although left at the margins of the action, does not hold
the same role as the other women and that is what makes her so interesting. We
see embodied in her character this notion of interior freedom, of justice and
morality. Those are the same characteristics we find in Clarence and Don
Mariano. With this in mind I believe Mrs. Darrell symbolizes the ideal voice of women
in democracy. One that is educated and rational yet on the sidelines, expressing her opinion but not having a seat among the squatters, hence not fully a citizen. The
author also makes it known that not all women are like that, and in fact what the
“majority” (in this novel) are most concerned with is the wellbeing of men, their families, shopping,
balls, marriage prospects and real estate.
Great post Maria! Personally, I like the role of Mrs. Darrell on this novel. She is so determined, as well as a good women. Her principles and values reflect a person who is emphatic with the lives of other people. Her role inside the Darrell`s family is of pivotal importance for the upbringing of their children. She even interferes in the business of the family (even though she does it secretly) in order to supervise her husband is not succumbing to the squatter`s malicious petitions. I love her characters and the strong personality she represents for women in this novel. She is different from any of the women who appear in this novel, and her political voice is also interesting and valuable to analyze.
ReplyDeleteHey Maria. I love your idea of Mrs. Darrell as "the ideal voice of women in democracy" and I absolutely agree. Overall, this book framed women as submissive, ladylike, and only really assuming the role of a mother or a lover. However, Mrs. Darrell really does stand up for what she believes in and tries to create a better society around her. She is a powerful figure that frequently disagrees with her husband as she is fighting for what morals she believes as right. Also, as she tells Clarence to pay for the Don's land is strong indication that she not only has ideological power through voicing her opinion, but she also tells others to physically change the lawless landscape around her. Awesome analysis, well done.
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Hey Maria,
ReplyDeleteLoved your analysis of Mrs. Darrel! I agree, she definitely stretches the bounds that were held around women during this time - as you said, she contrasts other women in the novel such as Dona Joesfa, Mercedes, and so on. That said, I think that she is also aware of the patriarchy in which she lives. For instance, how she had said at the beginning of the novel that she would not 'willingly' go with Mr. Darrel if he chose to be a squatter, therefore implying that she would still go, but against her will. This shows that she is still dependent on her husband and abides to his decisions. In the same breath, she is definitely going further and exercising her voice as a woman much more than any other woman in the novel as well as women in general during the 19th century, making her deserving of the title you created; "the ideal voice of a women in democracy". Anyways, awesome post! :)
Hi Maria!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post because it was really interesting. Your comparison of Ms. Darrell's behaviour and role with those of the other women in the novel shows that Maria Amparo Ruiz De Burton advocates for women's rights against this "traditional" role of women. Your comment allowed me to reflect on Mr. Darrell's reaction. First of all, Mr. Darrell could not accept that his son and his wife bypassed him to buy the land where he had settled. He said that he was dishonoured and that his son and his wife were constantly laughing at him. The fact is that in this old society, the woman is constantly a minor. She moves from the authority of the father to the authority of the husband. In the end, she never acquires freedom of movement and action. Marriage represents a great evolution in a woman's life, but in the end, this situation of "minor" remains constant. For the son, the situation is the same. Throughout the book, the reaction of Gasbang and Matthew against the young settlers (Romeo or Clarence) shows that 'the young man' is always considered to be under the authority of the father at least until the marriage by which he becomes a man. Consequently, Mary and Clarence were both under the strict authority of Mr. Darrel at the time of their actions. They were in fact extremely "revolutionary" with regard to the mentality of the patriarchal society. Thus, I interpret Mr Darrel's disproportionate reaction as a rupture of this model. This form of societal revolution leads to many consequences and resistance. Mr. Darrel will even go so far as to kick his son out of his house and indirectly cause pain and even the death of many characters. Moreover, the fact that Mrs. Darrell, as you have shown, comes to "the colony" in order to discuss Business with men is also a highly revolutionary and disruptive action towards this patriarchal society. So, I share your opinion that Mrs. Darrell has a truly central and interesting role with regards to the author's argument.
Yes, this is a good post. Mrs Darrell is indeed one of the most interesting characters in the book. She is certainly, for instance, a more complex and interesting character than Darrell. It would have been interesting had Ruiz de Burton focussed on her more, and yet it's perhaps inevitable that she should have been left to the margins.
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