Warning: May Contain Spoilers - Don't read if you haven't watched Downton Abbey Season 1,2, and 3. Also please note, this is all written from my interpretation, perspective, and observation of the show. This is also a fictional show, however based on actual historical events.
Season 3 of Downton Abbey, so many changes have erupted after World War 1. Especially for women. A few episodes in (3.06 to be exact), we have Ethel working for Mrs.Isobel Crawley. The could be scandal is that Ethel was once a maid at Downton Abbey, but got pregnant by an officer who was healing at the house during WW1. They were in fact fooling around. He denied the child, and died when he returned to his post at war. So, Ethel having no where to go, shunned by the officers family, turned to desperate measures - prostitution. Apparently "Bastard" children were looked down upon in those days. Are they still?
Eventually Ethel makes the difficult decision of giving up her son to the family of the officer. They would promise him a good education etc. Mrs. Crawley takes her in, out of the goodness of her heart, because she believes in reformation, changes, and second chances. Ethel is her cook, and cooks tea or luncheon for the Crawley ladies, to which Lord Grantham utterly objects. He's very stuck in the old ways, however these women support change, and praise Ethel. So good to see support, and women coming together.
In this episode we also find out that Mr. Bates who was in prison for a long time on account of murdering his ex-wife, is set free, due to the charges being dropped. Sure he is happy, and I am happy for him and Anna, (who is his newly wedded wife), however it's hard to see everyone accept and welcome a former convict, but not give Ethel a second chance, yes she sold her body, and slept around, but apparently its worse to be that, than to be suspected of murder due to a known past of having a vile temper (his ex-wife was just as vile too though). Maybe a comparison can not be made, but it almost seemed a double standard.
Lady Edith Crawley, was unsuccessful at her one attempt at marriage, as her would-be husband left her at the alter for he was embarrassed by comments made by certain people at his age (he being much older than her was unaccepted by some, and her happiness did not matter to them). Though her rivalry and politics with Mary may have made her seem despicable at first, she changes her ways, and sibling rivalry is always present among women! ;-) During the war Edith took up driving, and helping out with a tractor on the farm. After the war she seemed bored, especially with marriage not having worked out, she begins writing, and she just might be one of the feminists to be published! Her family especially her father is against her writing, he's against most modern things. I wish Lady Edith all the best with her endeavors, in fact I support her. Let's see what the rest of the season has in store for her!
In the previous episode Lady Sybil passed away due to preeclampsia, on the eve of her giving birth. A sudden complication, overlooked by the knighted Ob/Gyn, but diagnosed by the family physician. It was frustrating to see a bunch of men stand around and make health decisions for women. Isn't this still the case, politically? So many patriarchal societies still exist? Will women ever be "equal" to men? Which goes back to the sibling rivalry, and the tricks that Mrs. Grantham's maid O'Brien is up to, constantly trying to bring others down. Rivalry between women, in a world where women still get the worst end of the deal, why must we bring each other down? I think this will continue due to some women's catty nature, however I am glad we can stand up and support each other for the most part.
Lastly at dinner The Crawley's invite The Rev. Mr. Travis over to see if he can convince Tom, to change his mind and have Baby Sybil baptized as Protestant. However many of the ladies stand up to the Rev. and question him intelligently with regards to the correctness of Catholicism, and even other religions. This was empowering to watch due to the new independent thought processes that were awakened. Mary eventually revealed that Sybil had confided in Mary and asked her to see that the baby was baptized as Catholic. The questions still remained, is Protestantism superior to Catholicism? What about all those truly good Catholics? Is Protestantism superior to other religions? What about all those good people in India and China?
So looking back at that episode, how much have we really changed? Would we shun Ethel today? What if you found out your waitress was a former prostitute? Would you object? You find out your son's best friend in 1st grade is a bastard child of a lady who works a lowly job, would you tell him to befriend someone else? Do you believe your culture/religion/race is superior to others? Why is your life more important than anyone else?
I personally enjoy watching Downton Abbey, and other period films, including reading the British literary classics, for they often depict a great "change" - ie. The Tale of Two Cities, Pride and Prejudice, and many more. It's amazing to go into that different time, and live, travel, adventure with these characters, and come back to the present day, relieved that we have so much freedom. From the stoic and stern times, when women were to be seen not heard, to now where women are applauded for walking down the catwalk in their lingerie (Victoria's Secret pageant thing), Beyonce sing awesome empowering songs (Independent Woman, Single Ladies, etc.) in that oh, la, la, la, leotard at the Superbowl, or that I can write my blog and not be looked down on for being a woman putting herself out there through writing, or even Facebook! Social networking existed then of course, but not like it is today, and perhaps clubs were more prominent with men, women would meet quietly and play bridge or something. People could be private as to just stay in a room forever and never come out (Jane Eyre, the Secret Garden etc.). We can still be private, but if you choose to live loud, then people don't mind. There will be criticism, not everyone is as open, but its more accepted now... and what do you know burlesque is making a come back as an art form! Who wudda though!
Girl Power!
<3 to Downton Abbey!
Breathe!
Season 3 of Downton Abbey, so many changes have erupted after World War 1. Especially for women. A few episodes in (3.06 to be exact), we have Ethel working for Mrs.Isobel Crawley. The could be scandal is that Ethel was once a maid at Downton Abbey, but got pregnant by an officer who was healing at the house during WW1. They were in fact fooling around. He denied the child, and died when he returned to his post at war. So, Ethel having no where to go, shunned by the officers family, turned to desperate measures - prostitution. Apparently "Bastard" children were looked down upon in those days. Are they still?
Eventually Ethel makes the difficult decision of giving up her son to the family of the officer. They would promise him a good education etc. Mrs. Crawley takes her in, out of the goodness of her heart, because she believes in reformation, changes, and second chances. Ethel is her cook, and cooks tea or luncheon for the Crawley ladies, to which Lord Grantham utterly objects. He's very stuck in the old ways, however these women support change, and praise Ethel. So good to see support, and women coming together.
In this episode we also find out that Mr. Bates who was in prison for a long time on account of murdering his ex-wife, is set free, due to the charges being dropped. Sure he is happy, and I am happy for him and Anna, (who is his newly wedded wife), however it's hard to see everyone accept and welcome a former convict, but not give Ethel a second chance, yes she sold her body, and slept around, but apparently its worse to be that, than to be suspected of murder due to a known past of having a vile temper (his ex-wife was just as vile too though). Maybe a comparison can not be made, but it almost seemed a double standard.
Lady Edith Crawley, was unsuccessful at her one attempt at marriage, as her would-be husband left her at the alter for he was embarrassed by comments made by certain people at his age (he being much older than her was unaccepted by some, and her happiness did not matter to them). Though her rivalry and politics with Mary may have made her seem despicable at first, she changes her ways, and sibling rivalry is always present among women! ;-) During the war Edith took up driving, and helping out with a tractor on the farm. After the war she seemed bored, especially with marriage not having worked out, she begins writing, and she just might be one of the feminists to be published! Her family especially her father is against her writing, he's against most modern things. I wish Lady Edith all the best with her endeavors, in fact I support her. Let's see what the rest of the season has in store for her!
In the previous episode Lady Sybil passed away due to preeclampsia, on the eve of her giving birth. A sudden complication, overlooked by the knighted Ob/Gyn, but diagnosed by the family physician. It was frustrating to see a bunch of men stand around and make health decisions for women. Isn't this still the case, politically? So many patriarchal societies still exist? Will women ever be "equal" to men? Which goes back to the sibling rivalry, and the tricks that Mrs. Grantham's maid O'Brien is up to, constantly trying to bring others down. Rivalry between women, in a world where women still get the worst end of the deal, why must we bring each other down? I think this will continue due to some women's catty nature, however I am glad we can stand up and support each other for the most part.
Lastly at dinner The Crawley's invite The Rev. Mr. Travis over to see if he can convince Tom, to change his mind and have Baby Sybil baptized as Protestant. However many of the ladies stand up to the Rev. and question him intelligently with regards to the correctness of Catholicism, and even other religions. This was empowering to watch due to the new independent thought processes that were awakened. Mary eventually revealed that Sybil had confided in Mary and asked her to see that the baby was baptized as Catholic. The questions still remained, is Protestantism superior to Catholicism? What about all those truly good Catholics? Is Protestantism superior to other religions? What about all those good people in India and China?
So looking back at that episode, how much have we really changed? Would we shun Ethel today? What if you found out your waitress was a former prostitute? Would you object? You find out your son's best friend in 1st grade is a bastard child of a lady who works a lowly job, would you tell him to befriend someone else? Do you believe your culture/religion/race is superior to others? Why is your life more important than anyone else?
I personally enjoy watching Downton Abbey, and other period films, including reading the British literary classics, for they often depict a great "change" - ie. The Tale of Two Cities, Pride and Prejudice, and many more. It's amazing to go into that different time, and live, travel, adventure with these characters, and come back to the present day, relieved that we have so much freedom. From the stoic and stern times, when women were to be seen not heard, to now where women are applauded for walking down the catwalk in their lingerie (Victoria's Secret pageant thing), Beyonce sing awesome empowering songs (Independent Woman, Single Ladies, etc.) in that oh, la, la, la, leotard at the Superbowl, or that I can write my blog and not be looked down on for being a woman putting herself out there through writing, or even Facebook! Social networking existed then of course, but not like it is today, and perhaps clubs were more prominent with men, women would meet quietly and play bridge or something. People could be private as to just stay in a room forever and never come out (Jane Eyre, the Secret Garden etc.). We can still be private, but if you choose to live loud, then people don't mind. There will be criticism, not everyone is as open, but its more accepted now... and what do you know burlesque is making a come back as an art form! Who wudda though!
Girl Power!
<3 to Downton Abbey!
Breathe!
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| The Characters of Downton Abbey |
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| The Crawley Sisters |
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| The Staff |
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| Mr. Bates, in prison... Les Miserables |
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