Ellinor; or the World As It Is
As the narrator states, "this book was written to accurately portray these experiences of Ellinor and to hopefully change the fate of young women in such a state" (1:98). But, in it's efforts to portray and effect change in the typical encounters of young orphans, it seems also to strive to change society's rules, especially those surrounding marriage and the typical woman's education.
In updating the thinking of her readers, Mary Ann Hanway seems to see importance in changing the subject matter of the typical woman's education. The changes Hanway wants to introduce are easily shown through Ellinor's teachings, as she is a governess for a upper-class young lady. One lesson that was to be taught to her pupil was that she was "born to a large fortune, [and that] she should use it for the good of society" (1:110). Ellinor taught her pupil that wealth and position should not be the primary terms by which she should define herself. Throughout the novel, Ellinor strives, through her example, to show that good works and virtue are a better way for her student to shape her self-perceptions. This lesson seems to be the first that Hanway wants to give to her readers as well; for too long women had simply been taught that proper posturing, accomplishments, and family background were the only qualities that they needed to develop. Moral lessons had long been neglected by the typical education, and Hanway thought that it should now be emphasized.
This idea is substantiated by the text as the novel's characters reveal some similar concepts. One says, "In my ideas, honorable conduct, worth, and merit alone constitute true nobility" (3:179). Young women who are always elegantly dressed, well-postured, and moneyed no longer stand out as the most mannerly. Another character agrees with this saying, "neither enamel, or fine clothes, can alter [a] person, or gold compensate for her want of manners" (2:34-35). Commentary like this is littered throughout the novel, making it apparent that"what the present age gains in polish, is lost in understanding. [The speaker grieves] to think what a degenerate race the females of the succeeding generation will exhibit" (2:307). Hanway's concern is for the members of the next generation of females; she's hoping to change their education, so that they will be endowed not only with accomplishments and grace, but also humility, and constructive abilities so that they can teach their own children and keep a household.
Enhancing Hanway's perspectives from beyond high society's typical acceptability standards, her character, Ellinor, is viewed positively by society despite her lack of family background. Ellinor was raised in a convent by nuns, so her views of society are colored by broader perspectives. She desires more than simple accomplishments in the typical woman's education.
She says,
"As a frail mortal myself, I commiserate the infirmities of my sex, who with susceptible hearts, and minds enervated by an education calculated to debilitate both the corporal and mental sy stem, they look not into themselves for support, but lean on man, whose vaunted strength arises from their weakness. Did we make greater exertions, and call into action those powers entrusted to us by the Creator of the Universe, we should find that he has distributed his gifts nearly equal between the sexes. There are very few arts or sciences that women are not capable of acquiring, were they educated with the same advantages as men." (2:302)
She not only has a desire for an independence separate from men, but also foresees equality between the sexes in both education and treatment. By portraying such a heroine, Hanway shows that she wants women to have a bit more of an academic education, in addition to one that teaches humility, human regard, and women's roles and duty.
Her hints at a movement towards equality between the sexes, in education, are qualified by Hanway. In one of her characters, Lady John, we see that this equality does not mean that there will be a genderless society. While Lady John adventures in the world of men's sports and recreation, she fails at keeping her marriage. As she stepped out of her typical female role, she lost her ability to please her husband. She was therefore out of step with society. The text notes this saying,
From hence we may date the era of women venturing their pretty necks in a fox chase-- shooting , flying, and becoming female charioteers, to rival the celebrity of this fair huntress [Lady John]... but, while Lady John was gaining consequence with the world, she was losing it in the opinion of her husband, why, as the charms of novelty, by which he had been captivated, wore off, became very quick-sighted to the faults of her education, and disgusted at her pursuits, which were in direct opposition to his own. (2: 147)
In addition to Lady John's love of sport, her husband detested any type of exertion. As a husband he was not masculine enough, and as a wife, she was not feminine enough for society or for themselves. Hanway uses their example to establish the necessity and importance of gender roles to the equilibrium of society.
She goes just beyond this first example of Lady John and her effeminate husband, as her narrator says,
A woman never appears to be truly irresistible in the eyes of men of sense, as when employed in fulfilling the task assigned by her nature-- as a dutiful daughter, affectionate sister, faithful wife, tender mother, and sincere friend. If s he acts well in those various situations, she will be rewarded, by the love and admiration of the estimable part of creation, and the applause of her own heart. (2:115)
Hanway's instructions on the woman's role show that a woman's place is keeping house and raising her children. Concurring with many of the conduct manuals, Hanway believes that a woman should be evaluated by her ability to fulfill her roles instead of by her family's wealth and long-standing reputation.
Along with these "new" ideas that she had for women, there were others that she expressed in her novel. These had more to do with some new ideas on marriage that she communicated through her characters. As most members of society felt that "marriage in upper-class society should be alliances between those whose consequence and expectancies are similar" (1:216), Hanway had a few ideas of her own. One character says, "with many, matrimony is a mere matter of bargain and sale, perfectly understood by the parties, to whom, no pity can adhere!" No sympathy is shown to those who join themselves to another for monetary reasons.
While Ellinor's
taste [in men] is indeed eccentric, to prefer the beauties of the mind to those of the face, to accept the virtues of the heart, as a compensation for youth, are motives so widely different from those that actuate the conduct of the idle, weak, and vain young women of the present day,-- that such an election must surprise them, because they have no standard within themselves to account for so strange a phenomenon. (1:280)
This difference is striking and rare among Ellinor's peers.
Hanway uses Ellinor as an example in order to
inculcate the doctrine, that esteem is the only real foundation to support happiness, and we wish to impress on the minds of our young readers, for whose amusement, and we hope instruction, these sheets were penned, that the only chance for substantial pleasure in the marriage state is, where the ages, situation of life, and intellectual acquirements, are nearly of equality-- of the adventitious gifts of fortune, it is immaterial on which side the balance lies; but, for real comfort, the other requisites are indispensable. (1:314)
While this quote clearly expresses where her ideas are headed, the idea is often reiterated as her characters come to realize that their superficial relationships have ended in heartache and loneliness.
Throughout her novel, Mary Ann Hanway develops new standards for women. She creates new moral ideals to live up to. She inspires her readers to learn beyond the expectations of society. It is an exciting novel which begs its readers to think for themselves.
Hanway Writes:
What is this fame, this good opinion of the world to obtain which we waste the preponderating midnight lamp? That is acquired with so much toil, and last with so much ease; for which we live subjected to the wills of others fearing to leave the beaten track, to indulge the most innocent eccentricities of playful fancy, or the caprices of a vivid imagination-- though these form the best part of our enjoyments in this short life,-- because it is not exactly the usages of the world and we must sacrifice to its imperious mandate all the zig zag circumvolutions that contribute to our happiness. Is it worth the purchase, to forego our own ideas of rectitude, whisper our hearts is so? Yet, if not of consequence, why pursue the inflated bubble, worldly approbation? Which we have just seen-- a breath can give, and a breath can destroy! (2:105)
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