Anisa Sanchez

ENGL 21001

Professor Nivens

6 November 2022

                                                            I am not yours

Historical fiction is a unique genre. It is taking characters that are either real or fictional and putting them in a reality-based time in the past. Throughout history, historical fiction in Literature, TV, and movies have portrayed female protagonists that are strong and defiant against social norms. 

One example of these feminine characters is Claire Randall Fraser from the TV series Outlander. Claire is a former combat nurse who served in WWII. Once the war is over, she gets married and goes to Scotland for their honeymoon. While exploring the Scottish Highlands, she is supernaturally gravitated towards these huge stones that are impaled into the ground. Upon touching the stones, she realizes that she has travelled 200 years into the past. In one particular episode, the Fraser Clan, the people who Claire is staying with, were going on a dangerous mission, and Jamie, Claire’s new husband ordered her to stay put while they’re gone. However, Claire roams the woods and gets captured by Jack Randall, a Red Coat, and almost gets raped. Upon Jamie rescuing her, they get into a heated argument, 

“’Had you stayed put where I ordered you to stay, none of this would have happened. Yeah, but no. Ye won’t listen to me, why mind me, I am not but yer husband. Ye take it into yer mind to do as ye damn please and next I ken, I find ye flat on yer back with yer skirts up, and the worst scum of the land between your legs, about to take you before my very eyes.’-Jamie. ‘I begged you to take me with you. And I told you there was no danger in me going along. Would you listen to me? No. No, I’m only a woman. No, why should you pay any attention to what I have to say? Women are only fit to do as they’re told and obey orders.’-Claire. ‘I ordered yer to stay put!’-Jamie” (Gabaldon, D. (Writer), & D. Moore, R. (Writer), The Reckoning (Season 1, Episode 9). 

The use of repetition from Jamie by saying “I ordered you to stay put” is showing that he is attempting to persuade her that disobeying him was wrong and make her feel guilty about it. As an Englishwoman, she is put in a very difficult situation, as Scotland is still under British rule, though English people are highly despised in Scotland. Though, despite being an Englishwoman, the two worst things to be in 1700s Scotland, she stands her ground. This intense conversation between the newlyweds is symbolic because Jamie represents the patriarchy that ruled the world and Claire represents the minority of women who were openly outspoken. In this particular time, the role of women in society is to be a maid, a cook, or stay at home with the children. She is a woman with a mind of her own and she practices medicine, although it often got mistaken for witchcraft, as there was a hysteria of witchcraft in Europe at the time. It nearly cost her her life, but that didn’t stop her. Although being very suspicious of her at first, the other clansmen eventually embrace her as one of their own and even teach her how to fight. Claire demanded respect from Jamie, the other men in the clan, and anyone else she came across. 

            Another effective example of a powerful woman in a patriarchal society is Fantomina in Eliza Haywood’s story “Fantomina: Or, Love in a Maze”. This takes place in 1725 England and we are introduced to the protagonist, firstly known as The Lady, who later adopted the name Fantomina. While at the theatre, she sees a prostitute surrounded by wealthy men, and that prompts her to disguise herself as a prostitute the next day. She immediately catches the attention of a wealthy man named Beauplaisir and they exchange letters multiple times. Every time Beauplaisir gets weary of her antics, she puts on a new face. Haywood states, “By putting an Excuse into her Head, which did the Business as well, and at the same Time did not take from her the Power of seeing and entertaining him a second Time with the same Freedom she had done this. She told him, she was under Obligations to a Man who maintain’d her, and whom she durst not disappoint” (Page 260). The use of incorrect Capitalization is used to emphasize her point throughout the sentences. Since capitalized words stand out on the page, she uses this to make sure her readers are paying attention and understand the message behind her words. Haywood also uses repetition of Fantomina attempting multiple disguises to show her obsession of a man. She continuously tries to keep herself interesting and fresh due to Beauplaisir’s standards. Like in Outlander, this takes place in 1700s Europe. To have a young woman string an older wealthy man along for as long as she did, is impressive. We don’t often see women in Literature, inspired by events of the time, who are powerful in their sexuality and take control of their life. She definitely makes men look a fool by hiding in plain sight while Beauplaisir remains oblivious. Fantomina is a lady who is not controlled by the patriarchy, but rather by her own desires. 

            The final example of a character that challenged the patriarchal world, is Eloise Bridgerton from the TV series,Bridgerton. This is set in 1800s England, and even though Eloise is not necessarily the main character, she steals the show whenever she is on screen due to her groundbreaking opinions. In this period, women are in the shadow of knowledge. They are not even taught what sex is or how a baby is made, which is another way men are oppressing women to know little about their own bodies. There is something known as ‘The Season’, which is a time when the upper class in England present themselves in an attempt to marry off their children. However, Eloise is not willing to give up her freedom. In this episode, we see Eloise smoking a cigarette with one of her older brothers, Benedict.

“’If you enjoy drawing but need practice, then practice. If you desire the sun and the moon all you have to do is go out and shoot at the sky. Some of us cannot. Look no further than Lady Whistledown. She possesses a huge talent for writing, and yet she must hide away and publish under a false name’-Eloise. ‘Yes, because if anyone knew who Whistledown truly was, she’d be strung up for what she said’-Benedict. ‘That is not my point. Whistledown is a woman, therefore she has nothing, and still she writes. You’re a man, therefore you have everything’-Eloise” (Van Dusen, C. (Writer), Quinn, J. (Writer), & Dollard, S. (Writer), Art of the Swoon (Season 1, Episode 3). 

It is very important to see a female and male character respectfully talk about the problems with society. Eloise is not downplaying Benedict, she is thoroughly explaining to him that he shouldn’t moan and complain about his problems because at the end of the day, he still has more opportunities than she does. For her to be so young and active with her life, despite being handcuffed, shows just how passionate she is about being independent. In season two, we see her participate in ‘The Season’ and she is not delighted. She doesn’t seek to be validated by men and doesn’t want to be displayed like art being auctioned. And, perhaps, the most controversial of all, she develops a relationship with a commoner, Theo. Eloise knows that that is forbidden, especially since she is a young lady of high class, she even has to be hidden in order to visit him, as that can tarnish her reputation. This goes to show that Eloise has a mind of her own and is going to write her own story. 

            Historical Fiction is a genre that portrays female characters that are outcasts due to their innovative mindsets. Through the use of rhetorical devices such as repetition and capitalization, these feminine heroines are not afraid to make their voices heard. Claire, Fantomina, and Eloise are three women that every woman can identify with, especially if you believe in rising above the patriarchy.