My part -- English 201

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Date Posted: 01:14:53 02/26/02 Tue
Author: Jeff
Subject: My part

I have a feeling that I should be asked one more question, but I can't figure out what it is. If you see it let me know. Or if this seems good as it is, let me know that too.

18C Scholar

TIM: SO, 18TH CENTURY GUY, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ABOUT THIS SITUATION?

JEFF: Well to begin with, Chuck, I�d prefer you to address me properly as Sir Richardson III. However, as to the question at hand, there is no question that what this woman has done is disgusting and preposterous. She has degraded herself, destroying her own most important possession � her Virtue. She is certainly most fortunate in being merely sent to a convent. If she were my daughter, I would have sentenced her to a life of labour among the lowest of the servant class, to punish this outrageous immorality, and if possible, to teach her at least something of how a woman ought properly to conduct herself.

SO COULD YOU EXPLAIN TO US HOW A WOMAN OUGHT TO PROPERLY CONDUCT HERSELF?

As a matter of fact, I have recently published a book, which includes this very subject. I am informed that in your century you have this nonsensical volume called "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus." Well, I have entitled my book, "The Authoritative and Original, Men are From Earth, and So are Women � But Men Were Here First." (is this a dumb joke, or do you think people will laugh?) I have subtitled it, "The Calling and Obligations of Gentlemen and Ladies." By the way, this magnificent volume can be yours for three easy payments of just 17 pounds and 4 shillings. Anyways, in this book I outline the proper conduct for gentlemen and ladies in the British Empire.
The main goal of a woman�s life is to bear children, to raise them with proper manners, and to diligently manage the affairs of her household. In keeping with this, there are a number of important aspects of Virtue that a lady must possess:
1. First and foremost, Chastity: sexual purity and passivity is of absolute and utmost importance, and must never be compromised outside of matrimonial bonds; a lady must never be shown to have interest in a man; courtship is solely for men initiate � for a woman to do so is quite unnatural and ungodly.
2. Modesty: any virtuous woman must not flaunt herself about or push herself forward or be found imposing in any way, but should demonstrate restraint and a docile submissiveness and obedience in all her words and actions. A young lady must also keep a strict guard over her appearance.
3. Meekness: as the weak sex, women ought naturally to move in a gentle and delicate manner, refraining from such activities as gaming, reading romances, masks, and revels; and certainly never with that rebellious or independent or aggressive nature so foul and unbecoming of these potentially glorious creatures, and which we unfortunately see displayed from time to time in such ugly outbursts as the horrid actions of this Fantomina.
4. Compassion: a true woman ought always to sympathize with the sufferings of humans or animals, and, due to their sensitive nature, to feel great grief over the slightest display of cruelty.
5. Affability: it is essential that a proper lady be pleasant in her conversation, delightful, entertaining, and even witty.
6. And of course, Piety: reverence for God ought to mark every man and woman�s life. A religious solemnity, Christian morality, and regular church attendance are indicators of a noble and virtuous heart.

THANK YOU FOR THAT LOVELY DESCRIPTION, 18TH CENTURY GUY. BUT I AM CURIOUS: IT SEEMS BEAUPLAISIR HAS DONE THE SAME THINGS YOU ARE CONDEMNING IN FANTOMINA. WHAT MAKES HIM DIFFERENT?

That is hardly an appropriate question. The private life of a gentleman like Beauplaisir is not my business to discuss. Gentlemen are naturally made to have a distinct advantage in society and as such have higher code of virtue prescribed for them. This protects gentlemen from public shame and ridicule. In my book, I identify several advantages for the gentleman, but I would like to highlight three. There is the advantage of
1. Education: men are better suited to learn and understand and advance the various fields of knowledge, science, reason, and art; therefore they are best equipped for prominence and leadership
2. Wealth: riches are clearly a sign of God�s blessing on a man and his family and he deserves the accompanying privileges and protection associated with them
3. Authority: gentlemen are the rightful leaders of family, society and civilization, and therefore ought to be honoured and obeyed with appropriate reverence and respect.
Now I am not recommending that your children try at home what the good sir Beauplaisir is accused of. However, in regard to "sexual escapades," the responsibility for maintaining a woman�s chastity lies solely with the woman. If a true lady does not preserve and protect her Virtue, it is no one�s fault but her own. Even our law understands this very clearly: women are explicitly prohibited from seeking reparations for damages or loss of privilege supposedly incurred by men. If a woman chooses, as Fantomina has, to participate in such heinous and lewd degradation, she chooses to suffer the righteously resulting consequences.

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