I will be discussing the novel in terms of how the women in this novel, are directly affected by gendered education:
Throughout the novel the reader sees how Fenwick's themes of gender, class, politics and education, are related to the views of her friend and mentor Mary Wollstonecraft. This is evident in the two main female characters, Caroline and Sibella. The two characters mediate Wollstonecraft's intellectual and revolutionary ideas on the status of women. For example, Caroline undertakes her own education by learning through example, which is one of Wollstonecraft's approaches to education. See Caroline's idea of Mr. Valmont:
Mr. Valmont consulted no other guide than his passions; and instantly drew an angry and false picture of mankind . . . instead of attempting to reform mankind, he retires to rail at them; and carries with him the pride, selfishness, and love of power, in which all the vices of society originate. (p. 63)
Caroline attains her education by paying close attention to the life and lessons around her. For example, she learns from her mother's behavior class privilege, vanity, and gender dependence, which supports Wollstonecraft's idea: "it is vain to expect virtue from women till they are, in some degree, independent of men" ( Fenwick, p. 27). As a result of her education, Caroline becomes a sensible person.
Sibella, like Caroline, is also a strong character but is more emotional. Her attitude and behavior reflect a more liberal view, opposite to the feeble and dependent female characters that were written about in this era. She also educates herself by taking advantage of any educational opportunities that arise. For example, she is able to get Mr. Bonneville to tutor her. She also learns from the mistakes of her uncle, from her correspondence with Caroline, and through nature. Both women exemplify a revolutionary view on women's education.
In the story, the male characters' outlook on education reflect the ideas of moralists such as Locke and Rousseau. Mr. Valmont's experimental approach on the education of his niece Sibella, parallels Rousseau's educational approach to his female pupil 'Sophie.' They are both reactionary approaches, and are not a form of education but of oppression:
'Always reasoning,' he said: 'I tell you, child, you cannot, you shall not reason. Repine in secret as much as you please, but no reasonings. No matter how sullen the submission, if it is submission.' I replied 'I do not think as you do.' 'Child, you are not born to think; you were not made to think.'
These men wanted women to be educated, only "to please man." Her dependance was to be restricted to the home
Clement and Arthur display similar ideals, though they may appear more subtle. For example, Clement shows affection towards Sibella, but only until Mr. Valmont threatens to cut him off financially. Once threatened, he marries Caroline's mother out of greed and convenience. However, the most obvious form of male oppression in the story, is displayed in Mr. Valrnont imprisoning Sibella.
Influenced by female activists such as Wollstonecraft, Fenwick has created a piece of fiction with a cause. It is interesting to note that Fenwick has reversed gender roles in her story, by making the men more romantic and reactionary and the women more sensible and virtuous.
Ana Arabski
Gothic Fiction
November 1995