English coursework- Are the marriages of Mary and Teresa for love or convenience

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English coursework- Are the marriages of Mary and Teresa for love or convenience?

In this essay, I will be comparing and contrasting two short stories- Teresa's wedding by William Trevor, who was born in 20th century and The Three sisters by Jane Austen, who was born in the 18th century.

Teresa's wedding is set in a small town in Ireland and The Three sisters is set in England.

The historical differences between them are reflected in the lives of women, the writer's style and the character's attitudes to marriage.

In Jane Austen's story the main character is marry. Mary is the oldest of her two sisters and has to decide whether or not she will accept the proposal from her next-door neighbour- Mr. Watts.

In William Trevor's story the main character is Teresa. She is one and a half months pregnant by Artie Cornish and has to follow the society codes, meaning she would have to marry Artie.

The two stories are similar because in both stories society pressurises women. Women in the pre 20th century are expected to get married and stick to their traditional roles.

In the pre 20th century women needed to marry in order to be secure. Women in those times did not have much freedom. The only way that they could get some freedom was to get married. We know this because Mary says:

' I shall be able to chaperone Sophy and Georgiana to all the winter balls'

This shows that women did not have much freedom, as Mary's sisters (Sophy and Georgiana) are not allowed to go out on their own, they will need to be escorted by a married women unless they are married themselves. This is also the same for Mary until she gets married also. Here we can see that marriage in the pre 20th century is also a way of getting freedom.

The lives of these women are mainly based on decisions made by other people. This is because of their society. Their parents also influence them. Mary's mother is putting pressure on Mary, Mrs Stanhope tells Mary to make a quick decision and if she does not, Mr.watts will address his proposals to either one of her sisters. She says:

"...if you do not give him your final answer tomorrow when he drinks tea with us, he intends to pay his address to Sophy."

Mrs Stanhope tells Mary that the decision to marry Mr.Watts 'does not' rest with Mary, as he will marry a sister if she does not give a quick reply. She says:

" ...for I am determined not to let such opportunity escape of settling one of my daughters so advantageously"

This shows that their parents and social laws dominate the daughters. They do not get a choice or a say in whether they want to marry or not. This also shows that the three sisters are vulnerable, as they are economically dependent on men. This also shows that they live in a society structived by gendered difference. Men would provide the money meaning women would have to depend on men.

The cultural settings of The Three sisters are different to Teresa's wedding. It is also similar in some ways.

William Trevor's story is set in a small, not so wealthy town in Ireland. Because the town is small everyone in the town gossips and generally knows what is happening in each persons life. The people that live in the town is catholic and believes in sex after marriage. Which is why Teresa is marrying Artie. This shows that women only do what society expects them to do because the society is putting pressure on them. Teresa is one and a half months pregnant and she doesn't love Artie. They both do not love each other and neither of them suggested marrying each other.

"...she had been aware of that when father Hogan had arranged the marriage"

This shows that Teresa and Artie do not really want to get married but because father Hogan said that it was the right thing to do, they had to agree.
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"Father Hogan had laid down the law"

This shows that he has control over the people in the village. They are not only influenced by the society but also by Father Hogan and his religious beliefs. 'Love' is obviously not considered important to the priest.

In both stories it is clearly seen that there is no love in theses marriages, they are all based on the society's expectations of women. These marriages are therefore of convenience.

There are also different attitudes to marriage in the two stories. A lot of people in those times ...

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