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Female Subjectivity in A Lost Lady EB1C4EFE-259C-47D3-A81D-5F4893E9C4D7_4…

- - - - "For one knew that she was bewitching. It was instantaneous and pierced the thickest hide"
        
        Niel recognises the power Mrs Forrester holds and yet this is subjected to her domesticated role
        
        Niel is a traditional, conservative male he is not attracted to the idea of a woman taking on the role of a man
        
        He is not a man who will ever be "dillusioned about the West"
  - - - 'to me it was as if one of the mountains had fallen down"
        
        She shows her concern in asking Niel to look out for him after his fall
    - - critiques would argue this is due to the fact that he was 25 years her elder and therefore not satisfying her the way a wife would desire
      - Theres a certain sense of freedom after his death, as highlighted through Marians actions in flirting with new men and taking on new lovers
- - - - So it is no wonder to a reader why Mrs Forrester's domesticated lifestyle is romanticised in the opening
- - - - Cather's avoidance of sex “might be explained by the fact that too explicit a depiction of Marian’s sexuality would affect the primary effect of delightful domesticity too radically” (Peter Messent)
      - The lack of mention upholds her innocent character as the devoted and domesticated house wife
- - - - The house being romanticised to the degree it is was primarily down to Ms Forrester and her role as lady of the household
- - - - Mrs Forrester has no interest in upholding her reputation in order that society won't talk about her
- - - - “she had been known to rush to the door in her dressing gown, brush in hand”
        
        Yet her beauty is not used for her own good but to the advantage of her husband
        
        One could argue it is simply internalised misogyny that makes this seem like a 'limit' to her subjectivity
        
        She uses her beauty for the male attention she receives from these guests, not for the good of her husband