Cheryl Deedman made the assertion that ‘romance stories did not challenge the attractiveness of marriage’ and reflected the contemporary ideology that legal marriage was the sought after ending for a relationship between and man and a woman. She went on to elaborate on common messages in romantic stories that were aimed at women of all classes: ‘the notion that all women should marry, that women were responsible for maintaining their virtue and that women’s proper place was the domestic setting’. Thornton’s story hit all three, from the maintenance of the purity discussed in Chapter One through to her marriage and son that rounded out her domestic roles. Thornton’s son, named William in honor of His Majesty William IV, was born coincidentally
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The announcement itself was highly reflective not only of Thornton’s definitive return to the domestic setting but also of the Romantic literary influences of the period. The opening statement, ‘no more to invoke Penelope, this genuine Abeona, who, nine months ago, entered Hymen’s arena, and unlike Periboca, then wedded to Polyblus…’, indicated a heavy presence of both Roman and Greek mythology. Penelope was a figure in Greek mythology whose name was usually associated with marital faithfulness and Abeona was the Roman goddess of outward journeys, both of whom were apt comparisons with Thornton. A further remark, that Thornton had ‘proved that “Jack” can participate in the feelings of Eve’s fair daughters,’ conveyed a play on the nickname of sailors as ‘Jack Tars’ and her ability to be a mother. Thornton’s transition into motherhood solidified the end of her adventures and despite certain irregularities from the standard pattern of such stories, it still ended with the same outcome of …show more content…
However, the portrayal of the Lord Mayor also indicated that such deportment was expected when addressing an respected upper class figure. The interview displayed in the press maintained clear status and class elements throughout, always referring to Lord Mayor by his proper title and with a deferential tone. The interview concluded with the Mayor thoroughly chastising her for her decision to leave her father: ‘You have done him great wrong by abandoning him under any pretense…and I trust that you will buy your future attention and care prove to him that your filial affection is as strong as your courage….’ By claiming that the suffering Thornton faced was caused by her disobedience to her father, The Lord Mayor was further trying to dissuade others upsetting the patriarchal balance. Despite the chastisement, the Lord Mayor funded her return to Ireland and his generosity was fiercely praised throughout the media. Thornton’s letter to the Lord Mayor, published in the press, was strewn with references to ‘your lordship’, her ‘sincere thanks’ and her ‘honour to subscribe myself your lordship’s most humble servant’. The Lady’s Magazine too, supported by an upper class audience, also maintained this reverence, closing out the article on Thornton with a reminder of the ‘humane feelings and discrimination’ of the Lord Mayor. However, Joan Druett argued in
The announcement itself was highly reflective not only of Thornton’s definitive return to the domestic setting but also of the Romantic literary influences of the period. The opening statement, ‘no more to invoke Penelope, this genuine Abeona, who, nine months ago, entered Hymen’s arena, and unlike Periboca, then wedded to Polyblus…’, indicated a heavy presence of both Roman and Greek mythology. Penelope was a figure in Greek mythology whose name was usually associated with marital faithfulness and Abeona was the Roman goddess of outward journeys, both of whom were apt comparisons with Thornton. A further remark, that Thornton had ‘proved that “Jack” can participate in the feelings of Eve’s fair daughters,’ conveyed a play on the nickname of sailors as ‘Jack Tars’ and her ability to be a mother. Thornton’s transition into motherhood solidified the end of her adventures and despite certain irregularities from the standard pattern of such stories, it still ended with the same outcome of …show more content…
However, the portrayal of the Lord Mayor also indicated that such deportment was expected when addressing an respected upper class figure. The interview displayed in the press maintained clear status and class elements throughout, always referring to Lord Mayor by his proper title and with a deferential tone. The interview concluded with the Mayor thoroughly chastising her for her decision to leave her father: ‘You have done him great wrong by abandoning him under any pretense…and I trust that you will buy your future attention and care prove to him that your filial affection is as strong as your courage….’ By claiming that the suffering Thornton faced was caused by her disobedience to her father, The Lord Mayor was further trying to dissuade others upsetting the patriarchal balance. Despite the chastisement, the Lord Mayor funded her return to Ireland and his generosity was fiercely praised throughout the media. Thornton’s letter to the Lord Mayor, published in the press, was strewn with references to ‘your lordship’, her ‘sincere thanks’ and her ‘honour to subscribe myself your lordship’s most humble servant’. The Lady’s Magazine too, supported by an upper class audience, also maintained this reverence, closing out the article on Thornton with a reminder of the ‘humane feelings and discrimination’ of the Lord Mayor. However, Joan Druett argued in