Mrs. Beauchamp: A Kind Villain?
was supposed to act as Charlotte’s friend and “savior”, but she was not always there for her when she needed her.
She is willing to protect Charlotte, but shows hesitation once again due to the fear of receiving mockery from others, and so her desire to save face is probably greater than her desire to help Charlotte.
Society, once again, prevents women from acting the way they want due to the fear of scorn and judgement, and so they have to remain “well-behaved” in order to maintain their good name.
Nowadays, girls hesitate to act too because society could condemn them for it.
Charlotte being extremely sensitive towards the way other women, especially Mrs. Beauchamp, view her.
Maybe if Mrs. Beauchamp was not as hesitant to help Charlotte, she could have been saved?
Quotes:
- "What a pity! " said Mrs. Beauchamp softly, (casting a most compassionate glance at her.) "But surely her min d is not depraved. The goodness of her heart is depicted in her ingenuous countenance." "Charlotte caught the word pity. "And am I already fallen so low?" said she. A sigh escaped her, and a tear was ready to start…” (48)
- “The longer Mrs. Beauchamp was a witness to the solitary life Charlotte led, the more she wished to speak to her, and often as she saw he r cheek s wet with the tears of anguish, she would say—"Dear sufferer, how gladly would I pour into your heart the balm of consolation, were it not for the fear of derision."” (56)