"The Son's Veto" and "Educating Rita" are set in very different times. Compare Sophy and Rita, and consider how their actions are governed by social expectations of women in each period.

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“The Son’s Veto” and “Educating Rita” are set in very different times. Compare Sophy and Rita, and consider how their actions are governed by social expectations of women in each period

        In the 19th Century, the time in which “the Son’s Veto” was set. The rights and social status’ of women alter greatly to those in the 20th Century, the time period of “Educating Rita”.

        For Victorian women, their lives were not one of independency, freedom, and the ability to survive on their own. They had to rely greatly on marriage to give them financial support, emotional support, and all round happiness.

        Sophy is a typical example of this. Having used to be a working class woman, and then marrying someone of a higher class. This was, for the both of them, social suicide. For her husband, he would have to put up with the humiliation of having an illiterate, poorly educated, working class wife. She would not be the kind of wife he could show off to his friends. For her on the other hand, she is to spend the rest of her life trying to be someone that she is not. Trying to be someone her son can be proud of.

        The way woman lived in the 20th Century is quite similar, yet still very different to the way Sophy lived her life. Take Rita for example, like Sophy, Rita is from the working class, and she too felt like she wanted to fit in with a higher class in order to be more comfortable. Women and girls of a working class had very few opportunities. Neither Sophy nor Rita were very well educated, although that is what they both seek. Sophy just wants her son to be proud of her, whereas Rita wants new opportunities for herself.

        Working class women quite easily became entrapped in the normal jobs that they had to put up with. This applies for Rita, working as a hairdresser, but is not the case for Sophy, as she was lucky enough to marry into money. Rita however was never as lucky as that, and so has had to work herself for all that she has.

        Sophy’s life was completely altered, and her whole way of life was turned upside down when she married at a young age. Having spent the first 19 years of her life being brought up into the working class way of life, marrying a man of a higher class was bound to have its difficulties.
        It is not surprising that Sophy spent most of her married life unhappy, when she is living it trying to be accepted as someone she is not. Sophy is trapped socially, financially, and psychologically, and she is not a strong enough character to break free. She is very conscious of others opinions of her, and so always struggles to meet their expectations. Her lameness means that she is unable to support herself financially. This is one reason why she will not re-marry.  Because she needs the money her late husband left for her.

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        Having fallen in love again, with the man who stole her heart as a teenager, she is desperate to accept his marriage proposal.  Her son is being incredibly faithful to his father by objecting the marriage, but at the same time is showing no compassion for his mother.

        I think that Hardy purposely made Sophy a very weak character to reflect the attitude and class of women during the 19th century. He does not really develop her as a character, as it is only Sam who sees her as a person, with her own views and opinions. Sam her love, is ...

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