The Mayor of Casterbridge and The French Lieutenants Woman both take place during the Victorian Age. In these novels we have an example of two women, Elizabeth-Jane and Ernestina

Thoughout both novels, we notice differences between the two female characters, Elizabeth-Jane and Ernestina. The most obvious difference is their social rank, Elizabeth-Jane comes from a poor background, she has lived her childhood with practically nothing and had no other choice but to work at a very Young age, like all other women from the working class. On the other hand, Ernestina comes from a wealthy backgroud, she always had what she wanted, she had “ the best education that money could buy“. During this period, girls were not allowed to have a proper education, and therefor were not able to acheive an independent status in society. The rights to education for girls was only permited if the family could afford it. Though both characters came from different backgounds, they are both considered as “new-moneyed middle classes“, Enerestina’s grandfather founded the family’s wealth and Elizabeth-Jane became wealthy when her mother married Henchard for the second time.

As far as their characters go, one is very different from the other. Ernestina is strong-willed, determined, has a clear idea of what she wants out of life and is very dynamic. Elizabeth-Jane is someone that is much more discrete and hesitant. She may know what she wants but does not dare to act. Ernectina’s main interest in life is fashion and finding a rich husband. She is the most fashionable woman in Lyme. Her clothes are very extravagant and shows her wealth. However, Elizabeth-Jane’s main interest in life is education. She sells her dress in order to purchase books to educate herself. Her style in clothing is extremelly descrete and non assuming.

In both novels we are confronted with two very different representations of womenhood in the Victorian era, each characterizing dissimilar social backgrounds and attitudes. In the case of Elizabeth-Jane, even though education was of prime importance to her, living in this era did not make it possible for her to pursue this passion. Both women remain dependant on men for their livelihood.