Terry Eagleton, in his essay, “What is a Novel?” talks about the various definitions of novel and among one of them points out that novel is the genre which “affirms and is wedded to the common life” (5). However, in comparison to the common and realistic novels, readers as Eagleton mentioned, prefer the “exotic and extravagant” or “monstrous and miraculous” as a contrast to their ordinary lives. Eagleton find these thoughts of the readers to be ironic because although novels are written to provide entertainment, the fictional plots in the story often reflects the reality and issues of common life in society. Similarly, issues that are present in common life can also be seen in Fantomina, written by Eliza Haywood. With romance and desire,
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Fantomina is not just an ordinary lady, she is a Lady of “distinguished birth, beauty, wit, and spirit” (Haywood 1). Her initial intention of doing the experiment is due to the curiosity of the change in manners of men, specifically the change in Beauplasir when he meets her in different disguises. Readers including myself, may not understand her actions and even think that it is unnecessary. However, Eagleton has presented an idea that can explain Fantomina’s action. Eagleton quotes, “Fantasy is very definitely connected to social privilege” (5). With this, Eagleton explains that this unexpected and abnormal experiment can only be done by Fantomina because she has the ability and privilege to fool the men. Furthermore, he adds, “Fantasy manipulates reality for its own self-serving ends, and reality, in the shape of commercial publishing, manipulates fantasy for its own self-interest” (5). Although the plot of the story may fulfill the readers’ criteria of uncommon and interesting novels, but the fantasy presented is to reflect the importance of one’s recognition and stance in the society. Fantomina can disguise in these different characters because she has the money and power to do so. You need to have certain levels of wealth or recognition to obtain the privilege Fantomina holds, and to conduct the experiment like she …show more content…
When Fantomina meets Beauplasir in her disguise as a prostitute, she talked about how she saw the man before and was interested in him but couldn’t approach him first because of her true identity as a High lady. The author states, “… but then her quality and reputed virtue kept him from using her” (Haywood 2). Besides her high virtue, Fantomina’s gender as a woman also kept her from approaching Beauplasir because the norm in the society is that men are always expected to approach women first which illustrates the issue of difference within the gender. This issue is clearer presented when Fantomina and Beauplasir had their sexual intercourse for the first time. “He was bold, he was resolute, she fearful…at the apprehension of really losing her honour, she struggled all she could” (3). Fantomina had clearly states her refusal of sex but Beauplasir still forces her into having intercourse. “In fine, she was undone; and he gain’d a victory” (4). It does not matter that she in fact, has more power than him because during that moment, as a woman, Fantomina was helpless and couldn’t refuse. At the end, she was the one who lost her honour and Beauplasir has gained his pleasure, but what’s worse is that she lost her dignity under a non-existing profile. Not only did these moments from the text
Fantomina is not just an ordinary lady, she is a Lady of “distinguished birth, beauty, wit, and spirit” (Haywood 1). Her initial intention of doing the experiment is due to the curiosity of the change in manners of men, specifically the change in Beauplasir when he meets her in different disguises. Readers including myself, may not understand her actions and even think that it is unnecessary. However, Eagleton has presented an idea that can explain Fantomina’s action. Eagleton quotes, “Fantasy is very definitely connected to social privilege” (5). With this, Eagleton explains that this unexpected and abnormal experiment can only be done by Fantomina because she has the ability and privilege to fool the men. Furthermore, he adds, “Fantasy manipulates reality for its own self-serving ends, and reality, in the shape of commercial publishing, manipulates fantasy for its own self-interest” (5). Although the plot of the story may fulfill the readers’ criteria of uncommon and interesting novels, but the fantasy presented is to reflect the importance of one’s recognition and stance in the society. Fantomina can disguise in these different characters because she has the money and power to do so. You need to have certain levels of wealth or recognition to obtain the privilege Fantomina holds, and to conduct the experiment like she …show more content…
When Fantomina meets Beauplasir in her disguise as a prostitute, she talked about how she saw the man before and was interested in him but couldn’t approach him first because of her true identity as a High lady. The author states, “… but then her quality and reputed virtue kept him from using her” (Haywood 2). Besides her high virtue, Fantomina’s gender as a woman also kept her from approaching Beauplasir because the norm in the society is that men are always expected to approach women first which illustrates the issue of difference within the gender. This issue is clearer presented when Fantomina and Beauplasir had their sexual intercourse for the first time. “He was bold, he was resolute, she fearful…at the apprehension of really losing her honour, she struggled all she could” (3). Fantomina had clearly states her refusal of sex but Beauplasir still forces her into having intercourse. “In fine, she was undone; and he gain’d a victory” (4). It does not matter that she in fact, has more power than him because during that moment, as a woman, Fantomina was helpless and couldn’t refuse. At the end, she was the one who lost her honour and Beauplasir has gained his pleasure, but what’s worse is that she lost her dignity under a non-existing profile. Not only did these moments from the text