“(…) in such a case as hers, it was evidently the duty of an only child to devote herself to her father’s comfort, and become the sunshine of his life” (Oliphant, 4).
Margaret Oliphant published almost a hundred novels and with ‘Miss Marjoribanks’ she created a masterpiece. The novel is about a young woman who tries to overcome the social boundaries of the Victorian era. The protagonist claims to act for her father’s comfort but in some cases it is doubtful whether Miss Marjoribanks really “devotes herself to her father” (Oliphant, 4). It rather seems that she hides herself in the image of the caring daughter in order to protract other goals.
This paper deals with the topic “Miss Marjoribanks: A Woman’s Search for her Position in Society” and will reveal some of Lucilla’s calculating actions.
Since there are two papers on the topic I will confine myself to lining out Lucilla’s aims, the steps of emancipation and I will compare Lucilla to Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre”.
2. Lucilla’s Aims
Throughout the novel, the protagonist Lucilla Marjoribanks undergoes certain developmental stages and faces various challenges that define her social status and position.
Inferior to men by Victorian world order, Lucilla tries to overcome social boundaries and challenges social order. In this case, she undertakes different campaigns in order to discard the typical role of a woman in the Nineteenth century. She wants to expand her sphere which is limited to domestic arrangements according to the Victorian image of a woman. Beyond that she contrives to change not only her own situation but to reorganise society and refute stereotypical thinking. In order to realise this campaign, she aims to take on the role of the leading actor in Carlingford.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Lucilla’s Aims
3. Her Mission
3.1. Lucilla’s Calculation
3.1.1. A Comfort to her Father
3.2. Popularity
3.2.1. Barbara Lake
3.2.2. Mrs Mortimer
3.2.3. Rose Lake
4. Steps of Emancipation
5. Lucilla and Marriage
6. Triumph or Failure
7. Lucilla vs. Jane Eyre
8. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic paper analyzes the protagonist Lucilla Marjoribanks from Margaret Oliphant’s novel, focusing on her calculated efforts to transcend the social limitations imposed upon women during the Victorian era. The primary research objective is to examine how Lucilla uses the image of the dutiful daughter to pursue her own ambitions of social leadership, and to determine whether her eventual path represents a successful navigation of societal boundaries or a capitulation to traditional expectations.
- The Victorian construction of the "ideal" woman and domestic spheres.
- Lucilla Marjoribanks' strategic use of social influence and reputation.
- The conflict between personal agency, social mission, and financial dependency.
- A comparative analysis of female autonomy between Lucilla Marjoribanks and Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. Lucilla’s Calculation
When she asks Barbara to accompany her on the piano with her beautiful voice one has the feeling that she aims to shine in the light of her duet partner. As for this self-admiration, Lucilla is always concerned about her effect on the people around her. She knows that a good reputation is the base for her success.
Her father plays a very important role in realising Lucilla’s plan. She profits from his good reputation as the well off doctor in Carlingford whom everybody trusts in. Nobody would ever have doubted his solvency, but when he dies he turns out to be broke. This causes Lucilla a steep decline in reputation and reveals that she has been dependent on the reputation of her father all the time. Now that she stands there alone without any financial reserves, she finds herself thrown back to the bottom of society. She is no longer the woman that holds the floor in Carlingford but is urged to find a man to marry her.
Marriage is another important factor that influences Lucilla’s life. She is determined not to marry before she has reached twenty nine years since she wants to concentrate on her mission only.
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on Lucilla Marjoribanks' attempt to overcome Victorian social boundaries while masking her true ambitions behind the role of a devoted daughter.
2. Lucilla’s Aims: Explores the protagonist's drive to expand her sphere beyond domestic constraints and establish herself as a leading figure in Carlingford.
3. Her Mission: Details how Lucilla manages her reputation and influences others through social strategies, specifically focusing on her calculations and interactions with various acquaintances.
3.1. Lucilla’s Calculation: Examines the pragmatic nature of Lucilla's choices and her reliance on her father's social standing to achieve her own goals.
3.1.1. A Comfort to her Father: Investigates the performative aspect of Lucilla's domestic life and her complex relationship with the Victorian expectation of filial duty.
3.2. Popularity: Analyzes the role of social gatherings and "Thursday evenings" as a means for Lucilla to control her social environment.
3.2.1. Barbara Lake: Discusses the manipulative but subtle support Lucilla provides to Barbara Lake to maintain her own social advantage.
3.2.2. Mrs Mortimer: Examines Lucilla's protective relationship with Mrs Mortimer as a tool for social navigation and reputation building.
3.2.3. Rose Lake: Explores how Lucilla utilizes her support for the younger sister to secure information and exert influence over Barbara.
4. Steps of Emancipation: Traces the transition of Lucilla’s actions from domestic redecorating to significant political influence.
5. Lucilla and Marriage: Analyzes the calculated delay of marriage and the eventual necessity of a breadwinner after her father’s death.
6. Triumph or Failure: Evaluates the outcomes of Lucilla's mission and her ultimate return to a state of domestic dependency.
7. Lucilla vs. Jane Eyre: Compares the two heroines regarding their strategies for autonomy and their rebellion against 19th-century stereotypes.
8. Conclusion: Summarizes how Lucilla's failure to maintain her mission marks the end of her independence and a return to conventional societal roles.
Keywords
Margaret Oliphant, Miss Marjoribanks, Victorian era, social boundaries, female emancipation, gender relations, Carlingford, social reputation, domestic sphere, independence, marriage, nineteenth-century fiction, agency, Jane Eyre, comparative literature
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this paper?
The paper examines how Margaret Oliphant’s protagonist, Lucilla Marjoribanks, challenges the social norms of the Victorian era while simultaneously navigating the constraints imposed upon women.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes include the construction of female identity, the strategic use of social reputation, the limitations of domestic spheres, and the struggle for personal autonomy.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze Lucilla's "mission" to reorganize society and determine the effectiveness of her calculated efforts to gain independence.
Which methodology is employed?
The analysis utilizes a literary study approach, examining textual evidence from the novel to map the protagonist's developmental stages and social maneuvers.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The body covers Lucilla's calculated social actions, her management of relationships (such as with Barbara Lake and Mrs Mortimer), her steps toward emancipation, and a comparison with Jane Eyre.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Margaret Oliphant, Victorian era, female emancipation, social boundaries, and agency.
How does Lucilla use her father to achieve her goals?
Lucilla leverages her father’s professional reputation as a respected doctor to gain social access and popularity, essentially using his status as a foundation for her own influence.
Why is the comparison to Jane Eyre significant?
The comparison highlights that while both characters resist stereotypes, Jane ultimately achieves a more successful form of self-determined independence, whereas Lucilla is forced to return to a state of domestic dependency.
What is the ultimate outcome of Lucilla's mission?
Despite her significant efforts to reorganize society and gain power, Lucilla's mission effectively fails when her father dies, forcing her into a traditional marriage for financial survival.
- Quote paper
- Swantje We (Author), 2010, Margaret Oliphant "Miss Marjoribanks" - The protagonist`s search for her position in society, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/170861
