THE STRUGGLE OF A WOMAN FOR EQUALITY
IN THE BRITISH RESTORATION ERA
REPRESENTED IN THE CHARACTERISTIC OF SARAH
IN SUSAN HOLLOWAY SCOTT’S
DUCHESS
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of
Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
MARIA MARIS ASTUTI
Student Number: 074214009
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAMME DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
iv
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I would like to thank The Almightly God for the great
blessing in every single day, especially for guiding me in completing this thesis. I
really thank Him for the chance to taste and complete this chapter of life, in the
hope for a brighter future.
Secondly, I would like to thank my advisor Tatang Iskarna, S.S., M.Hum.,
for the guidance, patience, help, advice, and support in correcting my thesis. I also
would like to thank my co-Advisor Dewi Widyastuti, S.Pd., M. Hum for the
advice and correction to this thesis. They mean a lot to me. I also thank all the
lecturers and staff of the Department of English Letters for all their guidance and
help so that I can finish my study.
I owe great gratitude to my father and mother for being wonderful parents.
I thank them very much for their magnificent love, guidance, and prayers. I feel
very lucky to have them always beside me. I also would like to thank my brother
and my sister for the love, support, help and laughter.
I would like to thank all my friends for great moments, laughter, help, and
support. I will never forget all the time we have shared together. For those who
always give me support but not mentioned, I would like to give my biggest
thanks. God knows all their kindness and I believe, God will give them greater
blessing than my thanks. God bless us all.
v
1. Theory of Character and Characterization …….……….. 6
2. Theory of Feminism ……….. 9
A. The Characteristic of Sarah Churchill ………17
B. The Struggle of Sarah for Equality in the British Restoration Era ...31
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION ………..45
BIBLIOGRAPHY ………...49
vi
ABSTRACT
MARIA MARIS ASTUTI. The Struggle of A Woman for Equality in the British Restoration Era Represented in the Characteristic of Sarah in Susan Holloway Scott’s Duchess. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters, Faculty
of Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2012.
Duchess, created by Susan Holloway Scott, is a novel about the struggle of a woman for equality in the British Restoration Era revealed in Sarah Churchill. The main character’s point of view can explain British Restoration Era and how the main character struggles for equality in the British Restoration Era.
There are two problems to be discussed in this study. The first problem is to find Sarah Churchill’s characteristics. The second problem is to find the struggle of a woman for equality in British Restoration Era as represented by Scott in the characteristic of Sarah Churchill.
In order to accomplish the objectives, the writer applied library research method to analyze the primary source of this study, the novel of Duchess. The other sources to support this study are from literary books and internet. This study uses feminist approach because it is suitable to analyze Duchess as this study explores feminist value.
vii
ABSTRAK
MARIA MARIS ASTUTI. The Struggle of A Woman for Equality in the British Restoration Era Represented in the Characteristic of Sarah in Susan Holloway Scott’s Duchess. Yogyakarta: Jurusan Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra,
Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2012.
Duchess, dikarang oleh Susan Holloway Scott, adalah sebuah novel tentang sebuah perjuangan wanita untuk kesetaraan pada masa restorasi Inggris yang diungkapkan oleh Sarah Churchill. Sudut pandang tokoh utamanya menjelaskan masa restorasi Inggris dan bagaimana tokoh utama berjuang untuk kesetaraan di masa restorasi Inggris.
Ada dua permasalahan yang dibahas dalam skripsi ini. Permasalahan pertama adalah untuk menemukan sifat dari Sarah Churchill. Permasalahan kedua adalah untuk menemukan perjuangan wanita untuk kesetaraan pada masa restorasi Inggris seperti disebutkan Scott dalam sifat Sarah Churchill.
Dalam tujuan untuk menyelesaikan analisis, penulis menerapkan metode kepustakaan untuk menganalisis novel Duchess. Sumber-sumber lain yang mendukung penulisan skripsi ini berasal dari buku-buku literatur serta internet. Skripsi ini menggunakan pendekatan pejuang hak-hak wanita karena sesuai untuk analisis Duchess sebagaimana skripsi ini menyelidiki nilai-nilai pejuang hak-hak wanita.
1
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
According to Lukacs of Hungary, a literary work had to be assessed
on its ability to reflect realities of life and felt that only realistic forms of
literary works were artistically and politically valid (Webster, 1990: 66).
Based on Lukacs’ explanation, it can be said that novels as a kind of genres of
literature are reflections of life and a detail of intrinsic elements of a novel,
such as its character can reveal the essence of truth of a particular
socio-historical situation the author of the novel has tried to depict in the novel.
When a critic gives the novel a close reading, declares reflectionism, it is the
critic’s job to show how the characters within the novel are typical of their
socio-historical situation and the author worldview (Bressler, 1999: 215).
By using Sarah Churchill, Scott actually tries to prove the struggle of
a woman for equality in the British Restoration Era. At that time, the upper
class had very strict rules in order to manage the behavior of its member life
and the life of the class itself. The members of the upper class had to follow
the way of life and if they refused to do so, they would not be considered as
members anymore. Duchess then was written to break this point of view. It can be stated that the struggle of a woman for equality in the British
Because of that explanation above, the writer choose the topic of this
study is about the struggle of a woman for equality in the British Restoration
Era as it represented in the characteristic of Sarah Churchill in Scott’s
Duchess. From the main character’s point of view can explain about the British Restoration Era and how the way of the main character, Sarah
Churchill, has done the struggle of a woman for equality in the British
Restoration Era which already influences her life.
In this study the struggle of a woman for equality will be seen
through some conditions before and during the Restoration Era of England.
During the British Restoration Era, the main character has many experiences
in her life, especially her close relation with her husband, John Churchill, and
Queen Anne. Although she does not come from the upper class or from
duchess family, but she can adapt very well with the situation around the
Royal family and along with the British Restoration Era her character
developed. She creates her own way to get better condition for her life and her
nation. Her customs represent to the struggle of a woman for equality in the
British Restoration Era until she can scrape along her life whereas people are
not believe women can create an action to the struggle of a woman for
equality in the British Restoration Era, because in that Era women considered
as weak and cannot be stronger than men. In this case, the main character,
Sarah Churchill, cannot accept that opinion, she has something like
From the explanation above, the writer can use it to strengthen the
reason to choose this story as the object of study. After find the struggle of a
woman for equality, hopefully this story can be used as a tool to study. It
means people can learn the struggle of a woman for equality in the British
Restoration Era from this story.
B. Problem Formulation
There are two problems which have formulized in this study. The
two problems are:
1. How is Sarah Churchill characterized?
2. How can the characteristics of Sarah Churchill represent the
struggle of a woman for equality in the British Restoration Era?
C. Objectives of the Study
This study will focus on the struggle of a woman for equality in the
British Restoration Era represent in the characteristic of Sarah Churchill in
Scott’s Duchess. The objective of this study is to answer the two questions stated in the problem formulation.
So, the first objective of this study is to find Sarah Churchill’s
characteristics. And finally, the second objective of this study is to find the
struggle of a woman for equality in British Restoration Era as represented by
D. Definition of Terms
There are several terms which are going to be used in this
undergraduate thesis. To avoid confusion and misunderstanding, it is
important to define those terms:
Struggle is to make mental effort because struggle is not always
using physical effort. It is to make one’s way with difficulty in the specified
direction. It tries to overcome a problem or prevent something undesirable
from happening or continuing. It is to compete or argue with somebody,
especially in order to obtain something (Hornby, 1995: 1186).
Equality is the state of being same especially in status or rights. It
means the right of different groups of people to have a similar social position
and receive the same treatment. In this case between man and woman should
have equal rights in society (Hornby, 1995: 388).
The British Restoration Era is the Era in which reestablishment of
the monarchy on the accession (1660) of Charles II after the collapse of the
Commonwealth and the Protectorate was done. The term is often used to refer
to the entire period from 1660 to the fall of James II in 1688 (Hattendorf,
2004: 132). The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia also describe about restoration of Charles II.
5
CHAPTER II
THEORETICAL REVIEW
A. Review of Related Studies
In this thesis the writer will analyze one of Susan Holloway Scott’s novel,
Duchess. This part consists of the related studies that deal with the novel. There are many responses to the publishing of this novel, here the writer would like to
present criticism to the story of Duchessin order to enrich the writer’s knowledge in understanding the novel.
A related study by a researcher on Scott’s work can be found in the review
of Barb Mechalke, An Interesting Story about a Strong Woman, December 22, 2009. According to Barb Mechalke, Susan Holloway Scott portrays Sarah
Churchill as a bright, capable and strong young woman who manages to victory in
the face of repeated uncertainty. Mechalke says that Holloway does a nice job of
teaching the reader about the many successions and uprisings during this period of
English history.
Holloway covers a period of complicated English history during the period from 1673, when Sarah was thirteen years old, until 1714 when she is fifty four. Much of Sarah's life depends upon her continued favor by the princess and Holloway shows the reader the dangerous path that type of life offers. The story is compelling, the politics are interesting and writing is good but she didn't care for Sarah Churchill or the other characters depicted. The cast of historical figures is rather limited, the author focuses her attention on John and Sarah Churchill and Princess Anne (Mechalke, 2009: 12).
Another related study by a researcher on Scott’s work can be found in the
2006. Rebecca Huston states that the story is always good to see a period of
history that tends to get skipped over -- in this case, the period of Restoration
England and the last of the Stuart kings and queens -- get a good treatment.
Huston says that Susan Holloway Scott's Duchess: A Novel of Sarah Churchill, takes an intimate, and at times, shocking looks at how a nation managed to firmly
shut the door on the idea of an absolute monarchy, and so, created a stable and
prosperous realm.
It is an intriguing blend of history, women's roles, personal life and a grand love affair between Sarah and John. Scott's research is firmly solid, and while some readers may find many of the incidents too imaginery, they really did happen. Anne and Sarah would write and term each other as 'Mrs. Morley' and 'Mrs. Freeman,' moving beyond the distance that royalty deemed was necessary, Sarah did spirit Anne away as the 'Glorious Revolution' started, and there were indeed rumors of a lesbian relationship between the two women. A great deal of the book is given up to the political dealings of the time, from the fall of James II, to his elder daughter Mary, and her husband, William of Orange, becoming monarchs of Great Britain, and Anne's eventual succession as Queen. (Huston, 2006: 18).
In this study, the writer will only focus the analysis on the main character,
since she is the controller of the story and the one who has struggle for equality in
the story. This thesis is also aimed to give more knowledge to readers about the
struggle of a woman for equality in the British Restoration Era.
B. Review of Related Theories
1. Theory of Character and Characterization
According to Abrams, the meaning of character is the persons presented in
with moral and dispositional qualities that are expressed in what they say –the
dialogue- and what they do- the action- (1981: 2).
According to Stanton, character is commonly used in two ways. First,
character designates the individuals who appear in the story. Second, character
refers to the mixture of interests, desires, emotions, and moral principles that
makes up each of these individuals (1965: 17).
According to Henkle, characters can be divided into two parts: major
characters and secondary characters (1977: 87). Major characters are the most
significant characters in a novel. They can be identified through the complexity of
their characterization, the attention given by certain figures, and personal intensity
that a character seems to transmit. The major character will completely need the
reader’s fullest attention because they perform a key structural function. While the
secondary characters are characters who serve functions that are more restricted.
They perform and respond in more limited functions than the major characters,
they may be less sophisticated, therefore their response to experience is less
complex and less interesting (1977: 178-181).
According to Murphy (1972: 161-173), there are nine ways of
characterization. The nine ways of characterization are used to create the character
understandable for the readers.
a. Personal Description
In some part of this novel Susan Holloway Scott describes the characters
through their appearance and clothes, as Murphy says that the author describes a
b. Character as Seen by Another
The characters not only described through their appearance and clothes but also
through the point of view of the other people in the novel.
c. Speech
Susan Holloway Scott also gives a deeper understanding about the characters
from the speech that is produced or in a conversation with other characters
whenever they propose an idea.
d. Past Life
By allowing the reader learns something about a person’s past life, the author
can give us a clue to events that have helped to shape a person’s character. This
can be done by direct comment by the author, through the person’s thoughts,
through his conversation or through the medium of another person.
e. Conversation of Others
Susan Holloway Scott tries to describe the characters through the conversation
of other people in the story. For example Sarah Churchill’s character is described
by conversation of John Churchill or the other character say about her.
f. Reactions
The character of a person can be observed by seeing at the person’s reaction
toward various situations and events in his/her life.
g. Direct Comment
The author can describe or comment on a person’s character directly through
h. Thought
The author can give us direct information of what a person is thinking about
and even tell us what other people are thinking. Here the author acts as a person
who knows everything.
i. Mannerism
The person’s character can be analyzed through the person’s mannerism and
habit that may also tell us something about the character.
The theory above gives information about definition of character and the
writer uses theory of characterization to describe clearly the character. In general,
characters are important element in the story. The stories always introduce their
characters to give a description to the readers.
2. Theory of Feminism
According to Humm, feminism is generally the ideology of women’s
liberation since intrinsic in all its approaches is the belief that woman suffers
injustice because of the sex (1995: 94).
Woolf declares that men have and continue to treat women as inferiors. It
is the male, she asserts, who defines what it means to be female and who controls
the political, economic, social, and literary structures. Women, Woolf argues,
must reject this social construct and establish their own identity. Women must
challenge the prevailing, false cultural notions concerning their gender identity
and develop a female discourse that will accurately portray their relationship “to
In the late 1700s, a faint voice against such patriarchal opinions began to
be heard. Mary Wolstonecraft, A vindication of the Rights of Women (1792), she stated that women must stand up for their rights and not allow their
male-dominated society, they must reject the patriarchal assumption that women are
inferior to men (Bressler, 1999: 181).
According to Beauvoir, a woman must break the bonds of her patriarchal
society and define herself if she wishes to become a significant human being in
her own right and defy male classification as the Other (Bressler, 1999: 182).
Therefore, de Beauvoir says that the true problem of women is that they
seemingly to escape from such condition which then perpetuates their inferiority.
They should break the idea of woman’s inferiority by being active in devaluing
themselves as equal human to men. She, then, affirms her idea by saying “It is
useless to apportion blame and excuses justice can never be done in the midst of
injustice” (de Beauvoir, 1949: 732). It is not blaming that is expected to liberate
themselves, but valuing themselves based on what they believe.
According to Millet, one’s gender is a social construct, being created by
cultural ideals and norms. Conforming to these prescribed sex roles dictated by
society is what Millet calls sexual politics. Women must revolt against the power
center of their culture: male dominance (Bressler, 1999: 183).
Feminists process a collective identity: They are women who are
struggling to discover who they are, how they arrived at their present situation,
and where they are going. Their search is political, for their aim is to change the
individuals, all cultures, all subcultures, and both sexes are to be valued as
creative, rational people who can all contribute to their societies and their world.
Women are people in their own right, they are not incomplete or inferior men.
Women must create an atmosphere that is less oppressive by contesting the
long-held patriarchal assumptions concerning their sex (Bressler, 1999: 188-189).
The theory above gives information about feminism. This study applies
the theory of feminism to interpret the struggle of a woman for equality of the
main character in the novel.
C.Theoretical Framework
In the previous sub-chapter, the writer stated that some theories and notes
that will be used to analyze the novel. The theories above are divided into two that
are theory of character and characterization, and theory of feminism. Those
theories are needed to help the writer in analyzing the novel and to answer the
questions stated in the problem formulation.
In analyzing this thesis, first, the main character in the novel is studied by
using the theories of character and characterization. In this study, the writer uses
the theory of character proposed by Abrams, Stanton, Henkle, and then the theory
of characterization proposed by Murphy. The characterization methods that are
used in the study are personal description, character as seen by another, speech,
past life, conversation of others, reaction, direct comment, thought, and
mannerism. Those theories provide complete ways to analyze the characters of the
the characteristics of the major character in this novel. Once this is done, the
answer of the first problem formulation is obtained.
The writer also uses the theory of feminism in order to analyze the struggle
of a woman for equality. In this study, the writer uses the theory of feminism
proposed by Humm, Woolf, Wolstonecraft, de Beauvoir, and Millet. This study
combines all theories that are relevant to answer the entire question in the problem
13
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
A. Object of the Study
The object of this study is the first historical fiction novel "Duchess: A Novel of Sarah Churchill" about the powerful friend of Queen Anne I by Susan
Holloway Scott, the publisher of this novel is New American Library, a division
of Penguin Group (USA) Inc, 2006. In 2005, Susan Holloway Scott turned to
writing historical fiction and published under her real name. Duchess is the first edition novel for Susan Holloway Scott.
There are so many reasons to recommend this book, from its some
believable characters, especially the characteristic of Sarah Churchill, to its ability
to totally immerse the reader in the past. The writer sees Sarah grows from a
young woman of ambition and inner strength to a political and social leader at
Queen Anne’s court. But her success does not come without sacrifice, petty
rivalry or danger, especially when she and her husband, John, throw their support
behind the rebellion against James II.
This novel is about Sarah was a compulsive and compelling characteristic,
narrating the major events of her day, with herself often at center stage. This novel
brings her own voice, passionate and intelligent, back to life, and casts a critical
eye over images of the Duchess handed down through art, history, and literature.
would be remembering her. Those are the main character which this study will try
to reveals from this novel.
B. Approach of the Study
In this study the writer applies feminist approach because the study
focuses on the feminist aspect. According to Roberts, the feminist approach holds
that most of our literature presents a masculine-patriarchal view in which the role
of women is negated or at best minimized. As an adjunct of the feminist
movement in politics, the feminist critique of literature seeks to raise
consciousness about the importance and unique nature of women in literature. In
form, the feminist perspective seeks to evaluate various literary works from the
standpoint of the presentation of women (1995: 270).
Feminist approach is concerned with the impact of gender on writing and
reading, gender determines everything and gender differences are imposed by
society and gender determines something. Using feminist approach, the writer will
describe the characteristic of a woman and the struggle of a woman in the
restoration era. The reference mentioned above helped the writer to apply feminist
approach. By using feminist approach and the theories related to it, the study will
try to answer the two questions stated in the problem formulations.
C. Method of the Study
In this study, the writer applied a library research which uses written
Duchesswas used as the primary source. The data included in the thesis was taken from the book in the library such as the theory and approach. Any website from
internet also became the secondary source to find other information related to the
historical background.
There were several steps taken by the writer to analyze the novel. The first
step was reading the novel many times to get a better understanding of the story.
The writer focused the analysis on Sarah Churchill and then made some notes
about her personal description, her behavior, her thought, her mannerism and the
conversation of others. The writer was also trying to find out the connection to
formulated problems.
The next step was finding some books about theory of character and
characterization and theory of feminism. Theory of character and characterization
could help the writer to go deeper in understanding the main character. Theory of
feminism could help the writer to analyze the struggle of a woman in the
restoration era.
After learning about the theory, the next step to be taken was determining
the approach and then the study was started to be analyzed. Finally the last step
16
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
There are two parts in this chapter each part of this is answer of each
question which has been stated in the problem formulation. The first question
stated in the problem formulation is how Scott characterizes Sarah Churchill, so
this part contains explanation of how Scott reveals Sarah Churchill with her
individual elements which make identity of the major character what she is. The
following part goes on to speak of the second problem stated in the problem
formulation, how the characteristic of Sarah Churchill can represent the struggle
of a woman for equality in the British Restoration Era. The second part is to show
how the major character which has been created by Scott in particular ways can
represent the struggle of a woman for equality in the British Restoration Era.
The writer will analyze characteristic of the main character, Sarah
Churchill, in Scott’s Duchess. The writer want to understand how the character’s royal womanhood of the main character as a part of the royal family get major
effect of the British Restoration Era, then the character reveal to the struggle of a
woman for equality to get the way of better life in the future, because woman still
be the second place than man when the British Restoration Era occur. It means
woman is weaker than man position and always fear to change the condition for
A. The Characteristics of Sarah Churchill
In the novel, Sarah Churchill has projective roles in which the significance
of experiences in the novel is always almost interest as the main character. Sarah
Churchill has identity which is particularly presented by Scott in Sarah’s
individual elements which show the human qualities which the character
actualized and Scott tells and shows what Sarah is like through the individual
elements. By concentrating on Sarah Churchill’s individual elements, the human
qualities can be seen as Abrams’ explanations about character (1981: 2).
Stanton said that characters refer to people who are in the novel (1965:
17). There are many characters in the novel but Sarah Churchill is the major
character in this novel, this is why she completely needs the readers’ fullest
attention (Henkle, 1977: 178-181). Sarah is the most significant character because
she is the focus of the story in this novel. In the following explanation the writer
will try to describe Sarah Churchill’s characteristic.
1. Clever
The writer sees that Sarah is clever. Based on Murphy’s theory that one’s
character can be described from what a person is thinking about (1972: 171). The
fact that Sarah is clever revealed that her mother action to teach Sarah in order
that Sarah can be as subservient as her mother. The way Sarah thinks about her
background indicates that her mother tries to support her and teach her.
greybeard scholars, but such an overwrought education was no longer the fashion. I learned to read tolerably well, yes, and write a pretty hand for letters, but ciphering and foreign tongues remained beyond my sphere (Scott, 2006: 10).
Although Sarah is uneducated, she tries to learn everything alone. She crossed her
mother’s pretension to teach her the same. She thinks what her mother does to
teach her, it can prevent her from the greater things.
Sarah knows that she gets so many other accomplishments which are
useful for her behalf. How Sarah practiced the lady’s graceful walks and curtseys.
She learned to tell this duke from the earl. She washed her hair in honey-water to
preserve its golden color. Based on Murphy’s theory that one’s character can be
described from a person’s appearance (1972: 161), Sarah learns the court’s grand
lady.
Yet who can fault me, when there were so many other accomplishments to acquire that bring me more favor? From the palace’s galleries and in the park, I observed the court’s grand ladies. I practiced their graceful walks and curtseys, and how best to hold my head and arrange an open fan in my hands. I learned to tell this duke from the earl, and which held more favor with the king. I washed my hair in honey-water to preserve its golden color, and I took care to keep my visage from the ravages of the sun. I saw how even the most beautiful and indulged mistress must give way to the plainest wedded lady, and resolved that I would barter her maidenhead for marriage and nothing less (Scott, 2006: 10-11).
Through the passage, Scott directly indicates that Sarah is a girl who always cares
about her outfit to make duke or the king see her and also interested to know
about her personality and her beautiful. She knows what must she does to always
takes care her beautiful, so she always learns how to make the duke or the king
When Sarah had a serious conversation with Colonel Churchill about the
scars won by the soldier in Tangier, then colonel invites her to walk with him but
she refuses him and she wants to leave him.
“I must practice my lines for tonight.”I turn away, but he caught my arm. “Not that,” he interrupted. “Tell me of your life. If Lady Anne demands too much from you, or what dish you liked best at the table last night, or whether it’s true that the duchess lets her Italian priests come and go consequences. ‘More’ being the Duke of York, who makes no mystery of his sympathy to Catholicism. ‘More’ being him as a future king who would take his orders from the pope himself, and rule over an England in such a turmoil of hatred and violence as to make the last civil wars seem as nothing.” “I agree with those who would put England’s safety first,” I said. “There is a difference between tolerance and carelessness” (Scott, 2006: 49-50).
From that moment they debate about the story which occurs since the Great Fire
and the condition in England. She knows many things about that story than
Colonel Churchill. That thing shows Sarah’s clever, she can debate man who is a
Colonel or the high class. Although Colonel knows the condition which occurs at
that time, he is still calm, but he just wants to study the characteristic of Sarah, she
is clever from another girl or not. And his friend is absolutely right that Sarah is
clever.
Through the passage, the writer sees that by the time Sarah’s fifteenth
birthday, she is able to claim that she knows her way about the court better than
any other lady her age. It is shown from what she is thinking about. She has taught
whom trust and whom to avoid, when to curtsey and when to stand instead of
She is much praise for her cleverness as well as her beauty, but better than that,
she had earned the trust and protection of Mary Beatrice, the Duchess of York,
and the devotion of her stepdaughter, Lady Anne (Scott, 2006: 40). That rarest
curiosity at court, a virgin maid of honor, with her innocence a banner of
challenge to every gentleman from her master the Duke of York to the lowest
page. All around Sarah are the sorry lessons of ladies who have let them be ruled
by passion. But she knows her worth.
2. Self-confident
Sarah is a girl who has self-confident. Based on Murphy’s theory that
one’s character can be described from one’s character past life. This can be done
by direct comment from the person’s thoughts (1972: 166). Sarah never knows
why her mother’s incessant applications on her behalf, but she has self-confident
to enter at court.
If I was honored because of my sister’s old place with the former Duchess of York, or because of my father’s long-standing loyalty to His Majesty. Perhaps I’d simply been noticed while I walked in the park. I was a pretty child and I knew it, with bright blue eyes, fair skin, and an upturned nose, and though not tall, I had a pleasingly confident carriage that made gentlemen turn and look after me with interest. That was the sum of my dowry, and I knew that, too. Unlike other young girls with aspirations, I had no grand family name or fortune to ease my way, nor a patron to sponsor me at court (Scott, 2006: 11).
Sarah knows about herself although she does not know that her mother wants her
in order that she has a better life to be a maid of honor than another maid of honor.
She knows her condition and she knows what to do with that situation, but she
knows her outfit can make her more confident to go forward, although she will get
All things are possible in this world. She realizes that she wishes her not to
let her heart be ruled by her lack of a fortune. It is shown from what she is
thinking about. When she is hearing her words, she thinks only of the
possibility—the likelihood—that if her husband to be a king, then this world will
be an altogether different place and not for the better. Those who have never been
to court will often speak of how the life of a palace is nothing but intrigue and
secrets. In truth it is exactly the opposite: not even the deepest secret of state has
any chance of survival at court, where even the king himself must bathe and dress
before a score of noble witnesses. Nothing is hidden, nothing kept private. Is it
any wonder, then, that before the next day’s sun had risen, her little secret is as
common as a prayer book? (Scott, 2006: 59). Through the passage, the writer sees
that Sarah has a dream and sometimes she thinks about her better future and also
she will be the high class.
3. Polite
Sarah is polite because she is a person who always uses polite words when
she must answer the questions or the statement from the other Lady in the court.
Based on Murphy’s theory that one’s character can be described from one’s
character speech, whenever a person speaks (1972: 164). The writer sees Sarah is
polite based on her speech with the page.
“So you are to be the new maid of honor,” the page said… “You look fresh and sweet as new cream.”
Through the passage, Sarah tries to be polite, because she answers the man who
older than her and she hopes the man can accept her and he will guide her to enter
in the palace at the first time.
Sarah also shows her politeness to Lady Anne when they meet at the first
time. Lady Anne orders little cakes for Sarah, then she eats those cakes gently and
she says thanks to Lady Anne.
“Sit, Miss Jennings. You have my leave. I like these ones with the jam centers the best.”
“Thank you, my lady.” I sat gingerly on the edge of the chair. Choosing sweetmeats with a princess was far beyond my experience, and I feared desperately that somehow I’d err and lose my new position before I fair had it. (Scott, 2006: 17)
She thinks her behavior can save her new position because she is very close with
her Lady, so she is carefully and be polite with her Lady.
As a maid of honor, certainly Sarah meets the Duke of York, she admires
the Duke of York when she looks him at the first time. She answers politely the
Duke’s question and her eyes looks down.
“You are Miss Jennings, aren’t you? My wife’s newest maid?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” I said, as stiff as a block of alder wood. “I am Miss Jennings, your servant, Your Grace.” (Scott, 2006: 35)
Sarah always shows be polite to the royal family, because she is just the maid of
honor and she realizes her situation. She answers politely and clearly the Duke’s
question. Sarah knows that she must be polite to the Duke.
4. Interesting
Sarah is interesting, because of that every man who sees her is always
interested to her. Although she is just a maid of honor and also she can win her
Murphy’s theory that one’s character can be described through the eyes and
opinion of another in the novel (1972: 162). When Sarah comes in the palace at
the first time, the guard who is her guide admires her beauty.
“You look so fresh and sweet as new cream” said the page. He looked me up and down with approval. “His Grace’ll make short work of a little morsel like you” (Scott, 2006: 12).
But the way of the page talks about her beauty signs something and he also tells
that her Grace will like her because of her sex appealing.
After she tells the truth about her life, Lady Anne begins close with her
and she hopes Sarah will accompany her each day. According to Murphy’s theory
that one’s character can be described from a person’s mannerism in the novel
“He had long suffered a weakness of the heart, my lady,” I said…
“You told me the truth, Miss Jennings. No one else does that. You didn’t tell me what you thought I should hear, or what I wanted to, liked everyone else does.”
“Yes, my lady, I was truthful, my lady.”
“I like that, Miss Jennings. I like you. You must be here each day, for me” “Yes, Lady Anne,” I said, keeping my amazement to myself. Because I didn’t yet posses a courtier’s sense of what to say to best please those I served, because I was still so guileless and had spoken only the truth, I’d managed to please the princess and win her favor. (Scott, 2006: 18-19).
Because of her manner to tell the truth about her life and she can hear the story of
her lady, she can win her favor and please the princess. Although her truthful
story is her foolishness of her youth, she thinks her truth make her was at court to
of honor and she just gives an advice for her Lady. When Lady Anne asks about
her outlook, Sarah answers the truth and it can satisfy her Lady. From that
moment, Sarah thinks about telling the truth which satisfies her Lady.
Because of her sex appeal, the Duke of York begins to persuade her.
According to Murphy’s theory that one’s character can be described through the
eyes and opinion of another in the novel (1972: 162). That moment occur in the
withdrawing room, at the first time the Duke of York asks natural questions, after
that he begins unnatural questions and his question aim at his bad mind about his
new maid of honor. He offers something to her, behind his care contains a
meaning and Sarah knows that.
“Not yet, my dear.” His voice ruffled with irritation as he inched closer still, so close that now I could smell the scent of his tobacco and the chocolate he’d had for his breakfast, lingering on his breath. “My wife can spare you. Tell me of yourself instead. Has that sweet mouth of yours been tasted yet, I wonder? I can’t recall when I’ve seen blush as innocent as yours” (Scott, 2006: 36).
The Duke wants to be closer with her, so he asks deeper question. But Sarah still
controls her feeling and she refuses the Duke of York.
5. Unpretentious
Sarah is unpretentious. According to Murphy’s theory that one’s character
can be described from a person’s mannerism in the novel (1972: 173). Because of
that characteristic, sometimes Sarah does not know how she can improve her
manner to go forward in the court.
unclothed people. I’d no notion what an allegory might be, but I wanted no part of one, or of pagan love, either… (Scott, 2006: 13).
Sarah is very surprise, when she is visiting the palace at the first time. Because she
has ever dreamed so long of visiting the nobler part of the palace that the reality is
sadly disappointing. The writer sees Sarah interprets the painting about unclothed
people, it shows that her manner is still unpretentious.
Her mother also despises her unpretentious life, she thinks that Sarah’s
characteristic is very easy to influence by the bad thing. According to Murphy’s
theory that one’s character can be described through the conversation of another
in the novel (1972: 167). Her mother complains when she is watching Sarah’s
preparations.
“You must watch yourself in that place, Sarah,” my mother said,
“I’m only a maid of honor, mother.” she began laying her clothes into her trunk: a small, neat stack of plain petticoats and smocks, rolled knots of stockings, silken garters coiled like brightly colored serpents. It wasn’t much for a lady going to court, where new fashions were slavishly followed, but the duchess would help dress her in a fitting way once she was in her household. “I’ll scarce be noticed at all.”
… “You’ll see. You’ll be no better than all the other hussies when the first gallant whispers his pretty words into your ear.”
“I will be different. And I’m not another hussy.”(Scott, 2006: 19).
Sarah already knows more than her mother does. The Duchess of York herself has
invited Sarah to join her household. She thinks her mother is rejoicing for her
good fortune, so her mother has been full of complaint about her preparations.
Another Lady also despises her unpretentious life, she thinks that Sarah’s
characteristic is very easy to influence by the bad thing. According to Murphy’s
theory that one’s character can be observed by seeing at the person’s reaction
Sarah as unpretentious person based on her reaction when Lady Ainsworth
despises her unpretentious life.
“If that’s the game you choose. It depends upon your circumstances. You are quite poor, aren’t you? No portion to speak of?” Lady Ainsworth said
“My father lost nearly everything because he supposed His Majesty’s cause, my lady. I have no gold, nor land, nor title to bring to a husband.” she knew they pitied her because she was poor by their standards, if not those of the rest of the world. She didn’t care. She was still proud of whom she was, and she raised my chin as high as she dared. “My fortune lies in my person, and my wit.”
“So it does, Miss Jennings,” Lady Ainsworth said, “So it does, and a splendid fortune for a woman it is.”… “yet with every bastard she bears the king, she increases her power and her wealth.”
“But that’s not what I want, my lady,” I protested unhappily. “Not at all!” (Scott, 2006: 29-30).
That dialogue shows Sarah’s unpretentious. Her reaction about Lady Ainsworth’s
words which despises her unpretentious life, she answers that she is different.
6. Brave
Sarah is a brave person. Based on Murphy’s theory that one’s character
can be described from conversation of others (1972: 167), the writer sees when
Sarah and her mother have a serious conversation about Sarah’s future.
“With your fair hair, they’ll notice you quickly enough,” her mother warned. “You’ll be no more than another pretty tidbit to that pack of wolves.”
“I’m not foolish as that, mother,” Sarah protested. “I know my worth, and I mean to make the most of it.”
“Now that I’d like to see, Sarah,” her mother said, “you are playing at being as grand as that Romish foreign duchess!”
“You won’t be able to see me at all, mother, not once she’s a part of the duke of York’s household,” Sarah said warmly, without thinking of the consequences. “You won’t be allowed past the guards without an express invitation.”
“I will be different.” Sarah began tossing the last of her things into the trunk willy-nilly, desperate to be gone. “And I’m not another hussy.” (Scott, 2006: 19-20)
Sarah is disagree with her mother, because Sarah thinks her mother is very
ambitious than her about Sarah’s fortune to get a better future.
The writer sees that Sarah is a brave, when she has a conversation with her
Grace or Lady Anne and also her Grace attacks her because he has interested her,
he wants Sarah to be his second wife or his affairs, but Sarah does not want to
make affairs with her Grace so she says No to her Grace’s says such as:
“Thank you, Your Grace,” I said, pulling my chin away from his hand. The greedy hunger I’d seen in his eyes frightened me, and I knew I must find away to leave him as soon as I could. “Forgive me, but Her Grace will want her gloves, and I should----” (Scott, 2006: 36)
“No, Your Grace!” I cried, my fear now mixed with anger that he’d dare try such freedoms with me. “No, I say!” “What in blazes are you doing, girl?” he demanded, breathing hard. “Quiet yourself!” “Forgive me, Your Grace,” I cried, “but I will not listen to such shameful questions from you, nor permit such—such liberties with my person!” (Scott, 2006: 37)
“But I am innocent, my lady,” I protested in an indignant whisper. “He tried to be---be familiar, but I would not let him.” (Scott, 2006: 39)
Sarah is brave to protest about her Grace behavior with Lady Beatrice, his wife.
She feels her way to envy her Grace when he harasses her that is the right way.
She is brave because she thinks her Grace has bad behavior to harass his maid of
honor and then want her to make affair with her Grace.
Another Duke also knows she is brave. He never sees Sarah is fear to do
something. According to Murphy’s theory that one’s character can be described
through the eyes and opinion of another in the novel (1972: 162). His opinion
“You seem anxious, Miss Jennings.” His Grace the Duke of Monmouth came to stand beside me, so close that I alone might hear his low, teasing voice.
“I should never have expected such a weakness of you.” “Now this is very curious, Miss Jennings,” he said. “I’d always thought you the bravest of ladies—a veritable lioness. I’d never thought to see you quake with fear.” (Scott, 2006: 41)
Her braveness makes the Duke of Monmouth interested and he praises her after
she is successful of her performance in the dance.
7. Strong
The writer sees that Sarah is a strong person. Based on Murphy’s theory
that one’s character can be described from one’s character reaction (1972: 168).
She cannot accept the duke’s bad behavior to her, so she does a strong reaction to
against the duke.
I bowed my head, suddenly overwhelmed by the enormity of what I’d just done. I had not only spoken first to a personage of royal blood, but sharply, too, to a man who might someday be king. I had scolded him, and I’d put my hands upon him to push him away. Had the other ladies advised me wrongly, for the amusement of seeing me disgraced and sent away? Should I have let the duke do whatever he pleased instead, and accepted his hateful fur-lined cloak as payment? (Scott, 2006: 37)
The Duke does not like her reaction that she wonders if no other woman has ever
rejected his advanced. She knows her wrong manner because she has disrespected
to the Duke and she will certainly lose her place. But she will accept the
consequence and she will stronger to face it. Although she is lower class, but she
still keeps her good way and be strong.
8. Wise
Sarah is a wise person. It is shown from her conversation of others. When
be a liar to get a wealth, love and common happiness from a powerful man or the happiness, and spread my legs for a powerful man for the sake of gold or a title the way that Arabella Churchill had. What I longed for more was a partner, a friend, a gentleman to share my life and my love, as well as my ambitions, and if such a paragon did not exist, why, then I’d be like the great virgin Queen herself, and never wed. (Scott, 2006: 30)
Certainly, everyone wants wealth, power and the other worldly benefits. As a
woman, Sarah does not want them, she wants someone to share her life and her
love. That is her wise opinion to get love and happiness in her life and she tries to
be different from another maid of honor.
Sarah is thinking and learning about the way for her life and how she gets
the duke’s belief because that is different with another household. According to
Murphy’s theory that one’s character can be described from conversation of others
(1972: 171). The writer sees Sarah as wise based on her answer of the
conversation with the Duchess, Mary Beatrice. She knows that the role of maid of
honor is to be an agreeable ornament to the court, and to prove she can be
precisely.
“You have no lover, do you?”
“Oh, no, Your Grace!” I flushed, my cheeks hot at such a question, and the other ladies laughed slyly behind their hands or fans at my discomfiture. “Not at all!”
“I am glad,” she said. “I do not like bold intrigues in my household.”
Later, when Sarah know more, she understands the jest, for there is never a
household has intrigues of every sort than this one, with the master himself
leading the whole sordid parade.
9. Ambitious
Sarah is an ambitious. Based on Murphy’s theory that one’s character can
be described from comment on a person’s character directly (1972: 170). She
thinks that certainly she wanted wealth and power and the other worldly, but she
wants more, get love and happiness, and she knows the way to get that thing.
I’d also remained that rarest curiosity at court, a virgin maid of honor, with my innocence a banner of challenge to every gentleman from my master the Duke of York down to the lowest page. But I knew my worth. Familiarity with my court hadn’t changed that. The only fortune I had to barter with was my face, my wit, and my maidenhead. All around me were the sorry lessons of ladies who’d let themselves be ruled by flattery or passion, and I’d no intention of being one more left with a big belly and a handful of jewels and forgotten promises. I wanted more, and I meant to get it. (Scott, 2006: 40)
She knows her way about the court and how to handle her duty, because she wants
to get her better future. Her opinion that she wants more, it means not only wants
the world benefits and happiness, but also wants be a good maid of honor.
And when she has seriously conversation with Colonel Churchill, she tries
to explain that she is different from another young lady, she has ambition to be a
high place, because she does not make affair with the Duke. Another maid of
honor usually has affair with the Duke, because they have purposed of coming to
court.
“I have,” I said, “for isn’t that one of the purposes of coming to court? To make oneself agreeable to those in high places, so that they will be agreeable and obliging in return?”
He laughed. “You’re an ambitious lass.” (Scott, 2006: 48)
She has purposed of coming to court. Colonel Churchill tells that she is an
ambitious person; depend on her opinion about her purpose of coming to court.
B. The Struggle of Sarah for Equality in the British Restoration Era
The characteristics of Sarah convey realistic image of the life of differently
maid of honor in the court. In the characteristics of Sarah, the writer sees the harsh
reality of the daily existence of different maid of honor to struggle for equality in
the British Restoration Era. The struggle of Sarah is not about physically but
silently action, because she has some characteristic such as clever, self-confident,
polite, interesting, unpretentious, brave, strong, wise, and ambitious, her
characteristics can help her struggle for equality to be real action.
In this section the writer will explain the struggle of Sarah for equality in
the British Restoration Era. The writer uses theory of feminism proposed by
Humm, Bressler and de Beauvoir. The theory of feminism is used to explain about
the struggle of Sarah for equality in the British Restoration Era.
In the novel, Sarah Churchill as the main character has an important
influence to the story because she makes a different way from another maid of
honor and she has courage to against the Duke when he attacks her and wants her
to be his second wife. In that Restoration Era, the maid of honor is usually want to
do everything to make the Duke has interested to her and the Duke will give
maid of honors always be to closer with their Duke, because they want be a part of
the high class which matter can change their economic condition.
But Sarah is disagree that way, she should not do anything to make the
Duke has interested to her, she just does her duties and has responsibility to finish
her jobs, she does not want the Duke or the Lady disappointed, she always listens
to her heart when she wants to do her job or something, although her beloved
friend (John Churchill) has negative thinking about her job or her relation with the
Duke, he is fear that she has a same way like another the maid of honor always do
with the Duke. But Sarah always makes an opinion to John Churchill that she has
strength to shows her way that way is different of another maid of honor. She is
also explaining to him that she has an ambitious to influence the royal family, in
order that the customs of the royal family will exchange to be better life.
There are some proofs of the struggle of Sarah for equality in British
Restoration Era.
1. Equality in Political Position
Equality in political position is a difficult struggle to create a good
condition between men and women in political position. Not only men who can
understand politic, but also women can understand politic. Because of that era a
woman has not influenced in the political position. Men think women do not
know the detail about politics. Women must struggle to get equality in political
position although that is uneasiness way. According to Woolf, men have and
it means to be female and who controls the political, economic, social, and literary
husband can trust her and her husband always gives freedom to make everything
what she wants of her life. Husband who gives his wife freedom and trust, that is
very rare find in that restoration era. But that situation is not happen in Sarah’s
family, her husband always gives her freedom and trust whatever she wants.
“Lord Shrewsbury, I am honored.” I swept my curtsey to the Duke, my smile gracious as I mentioned for him… “Might I offer you refreshment?”
“Thank you, no, Lady Marlborough. At least I flatter myself that you’ve not asked me here solely to pour me a dish of tea.”
“Forgive me for speaking plain, my lord, but it was you who wished to address me.”
“Ahh, that’s right, you call upon me, preferring that I come here to you.” “It was more seemly this way, my Lord.”
“He is, but I believe, my lord, that you come to discuss not my husband, but Her Highness the Princess of Denmark” (Scott, 2006: 239- 240).
It shows that Sarah’s family creates from strong foundation, between love, trust
and freedom to each other. Although her husband is seldom with Sarah, they
always know that they can keep their love, trust and freedom from problems and
After that, Lord Shrewsbury and Sarah have seriously conversation about
His Majesty and Her Highness, he thinks that Her Highness must stop Her foolish
appeal to Parliament for income, and Her Highness must accept what His Majesty
has offered. In that moment, Lord Shrewsbury tries to influence Sarah in order to
advice Her Highness, so he makes what His Majesty wants come true. Although
Her Highness is a woman who enter to Parliament, but Lord Shrewsbury thinks
that is uneasiness way to a woman who tries to know political world. It means that
Lord Shrewsbury thinks that men who still can enter to Parliament or know
“Such…freedom between two ladies is a rare and glorious thing.”
“It is indeed, my lord. Her Highness regards me with every confidence, which is why she has entrusted me to discuss her affairs with you now.” “Then perhaps you can advise her to cease her foolish appeal to Parliament for income, and instead accept what His Majesty has so generously offered.”
“How can I advise her accept anything that is not in her best interests?” “But it is, Lady Marlborough, for how better to please the princess than by pleasing His Majesty?”
“My first loyalty is to Her Highness.”
“His Majesty believes that in your zeal to serve the princess, you have misled her away from the natural protection of His Majesty, as her kind and lawful brother by marriage.”… “While His Majesty’s word of honor is sufficient for me. I can understand the princess’ uneasiness, thus I’ll offer my own honor as well. If the king should ever break his word to the princess, then I shall resign my office.”
Sarah is not agreeing with Lord Shrewsbury’s idea, she will not obey his
command to advise Her Highness. She has wise answer for Lord Shrewsbury’s
idea and she tries to explain that she is very loyal to Her Highness, so she must
not obey Lord Shrewsbury’s command and loyal to His Majesty. She thinks that
Her Highness must not accept anything because that is not her best interests.
Because she feels that a woman must determine her own destiny without be afraid
about man’s domination, it can create an equality in social status. So, Sarah is
struggling to show that women can exist in every part of the social world. She is
brave to explain that women can offer more useful for their country. It can raise
women to the equality in social status. Not only men who can show their
domination, but also women can show the same thing.
Although Sarah has giving her wise answer to Lord Shrewsbury, but he
cannot accept her answer. He thinks that she is wrong, because he knows that Her
Highness uses for the political gain of others. Then, he applies pressure Sarah
with his opinion, that His Majesty aware about her hope to better her own position
through this interfering mischief. After that he is threatening her that women’s
interest does not include politic, it can be dangerous for her and Her Highness.
“You would prefer that Her highness be used for the political gain of others?” he asked, his tone growing sharper. “This appeal to the Commons for an independent income will only result in making her vulnerable, a figurehead for those who will seek to separate her from the king.”
“His Majesty is aware of how you have personally solicited the support of certain members of Parliament on behalf of the princess. He is also aware of how you have sought to divide the princess from her sister the queen, and how you hope to better your own position through this interfering mischief.”
“Is that why you have called, my Lord? To order me to cease my ‘interfering mischief’?”
“My advice, Lady Marlborough, is to recall that the proper sphere for a woman’s interests does not include politics,” he said, rising. “Countering His Majesty’s wishes for your own sport is a dangerous amusement, both to you and to the princess you pretend to serve.”
“I thank you for your kind advice, my Lord, though as a woman, it may not be within my sphere to act upon it” (Scott, 2006: 241).
His threat is not make Sarah afraid and then obey him. That situation makes her
be strong and brave to explain her ambition and her confidence to get equality in
political position. And she tells that Her Highness signed away her imminent right
to the throne to let His Majesty be crowned first. Perhaps for the sake of the
country as well as the princess herself, a show of independence from Her
Highness is not such a great evil.
2. Equality in Gender Position
Equality in gender position is evidence to make men aware that his
dominations make women are under pressure and difficult to get equality which
are theirs rights too. It is uneasy way to get equality in gender position, women
must struggle to get it. Because men always use his domination to press women,
men can do everything what they want and women cannot refuse. Woman must
accept what man does although it is bad things. It means that woman is weakness
of man’s domination. According to de Beauvoir that the true problem of women is
inferiority. They should break the idea of woman’s inferiority by being active in
devaluing themselves as equal human to men (de Beauvoir, 1949: 732).
At the first time, Sarah proudly enters the court because she never knows
why her mother’s incessant applications on her behalf are finally answered, if she
is guest of honor because her sister’s old place with the former Duchess of York,
or because of her father’s long-standing loyalty to his majesty. She has
self-confident because she knows her physical beauty which makes gentlemen turn
and look after her with interest. As the new maid of honor, unlike other young
girls with aspirations, she has no grand family name or fortune to ease her way,
nor sponsor her at court. When she enters the palace and then she meets the porter
who becomes her guide, they make seriously conversation and Sarah tries to be
wise, polite and unpretentious person. She does not know the real circumstances
in the palace, it is uneasy like her perspective, the matter is more complicated and
complex, such as the porter’s explanation about the circumstances in the court and
Grace or the Duke who has bad attitude with his new maid of honor, but Sarah
does not know that matter.
“You look fresh and sweet as new cream.”
“I’m nearly thirteen,” I said as grandly as I could. Like every girl my age, I was eager to put aside my childhood for what I was certain would be better.
“That’s quite old enough to be a maid of honor. Old enough for mischief, that’s for certain.” He looked me up and down with approval. “His Grace’ll make short work of a little morsel like you.”
“Of course I do,” I whispered sharply…
“You must learn every lady and lord at court, by sight and by rank,” the boy said, “and who deserves which salute. You’ll lose your place if you don’t. Mind the dog, there.” (Scott, 2006: 12).
Sarah is able to claim that she knows her way about the court better than any other
lady on her age. She has taught who trusted and who to avoided, when to
curtseyed and when to stand instead of sitting, whose gifts were safe to accept and
whose will bring unpleasant obligations. She has much praised for her cleverness
as well as her beauty, but better than that, she has earned the trust and protection
of Mary Beatrice, the Duchess of York, and the devotion of her stepdaughter,
Lady Anne. She has also remained that rarest curiosity at court, a virgin maid of
honor, with her innocence a banner of challenge to every gentleman from her
master the Duke of York down to the lowest page. She wants to determine her
own destiny, because she has outspoken and outrageous struggle to getting her
rights in order to the society. Although she comes from poor family, she tries to
get equality in gender position, it means equality between men and women.
She knows her worth. Familiarity with the court has not changed that. The
only fortune she has worth to barter with is her face, her wit, and her maidenhead.
All around her is the sorry lessons of ladies who have let themselves be ruled by
flattery or passion, and she has no intention of being one more left with a big belly
and a handful of jewels and forgotten promises. She wants more, and means to get
it and then, at last, she meets the one man destines to be her match.
The other ladies have told her she has always the right to refuse a
gentleman’s attentions, but they never explain how done it. In that moment, when
