"To the Ladies" and "Eveline"

"To the Ladies" and "Eveline"

Both of these stories deal with expectations that are put upon women. Chudleigh's view is noticeably darker and more cynical. The perspective in "To the Ladies" is through the eyes of a woman that has been required to be subservient and a "servant." Chudleigh makes references to her role being no different from that of a servent. Furthermore, the verb obey is used on the fifth line, and obey has connotations that when applied to a woman in marriage are distinctly negative. Also, Chudleigh puts emphasis on the impossibility of dividing the marriage by repeating the word "nothing." What's interesting in both of these stories is the foreverness of their positions. Lady Chudleigh specifically mentions that nothing can divide her from her haughty husband, while Eveline finds it too difficult to abandon the responsibilities tormenting her. It must be included that while there are a few similarities, these two stories are different in a few extremely important ways. First, one is fiction and the other is based off of real life experiences. Secondly, Eveline was offered an opportunity for a different life while Chudleigh, apparently, was denied that. Lastly, Eveline's responsibilities largely lay in caring for her family, on the other hand, the Lady's duty is to be dutiful to her husband. Let me know what you think!

“For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” 
― Virginia Woolf

I thought it was a thought provoking quote and related to the topic at hand.