Class Differences and the Status of Women and Their Treatment - Essay Example

Charles Dickens and Fanny Trollope View on the U.S. regarding differences and the status of women and their treatment by men Throughout the history of America, it has been noted that the country has fascinated foreign travelers. It is from the commentaries that have been left behind by these travelers that America’s society, culture and politics have been exposed. In this paper, two specific travelers who existed during the twentieth century will be discussed with a critical analysis of their commentaries mainly basing on two social topics which are: social class differences in America and the role of women in the country and their treatment by men. As will be clearly seen in the discussion of the commentaries by the two traveler (both from England) the foreign observers who were present during the twentieth century were had serious criticism of America. The observers were drawn into being more analytical of the American scene due to the fact that the country’s efforts to influence international boundaries were rapidly growing. Right from his first visit to America, Dickens wrote American Notes where he clarifies in the mind of the reader the real picture of life in America in contrast to the life back in the United Kingdom (Dickens’s motherland). As he narrates, the very initial impression that he got were very existing only for quarrels to begin later on in the visit as reality was dawning on her. Dickens expresses the fact that the reception that he was accorded in America was exceptional. This can mainly be drawn from the fact that Dickens had already been an identified English writer with a lot of fame in foreign travels. Despite the fact that Dickens was a beneficiary of this warm welcome in America that involved recognition from even President John Tyler, he remained to be very critical of the American society. Just as was the case with his former traveler to America, Trollope, Dickens was very vocal in portraying the inequality and the high levels of injustice that were in the American society. According to his observation, this was mainly brought about by the fact that slavery was very much rampant in America, a fact that was very influential in contributing to the high levels of class differences that existed between the rich and the poor (Dickens 119). This was also pronounced further when Dickens claimed in his American Notes that prisoners wee treated with very much disregard. According to his observations, the prisoners who were mainly poor people were subject to ill-treatment, a fact that led further to the underdevelopment of the poor people. On the other hand, Dickens was very positive with the fact that he was surprised at the fact that America still looked upon Europe as its model of governance and development. This was because Dickens’ analysis revealed that he still had very much regard to America due to the high levels of democracy that existed in the country. This was an aspect about America that Dickens thought was very much lacking in his motherland, England. The fact that democracy was more practiced in America as compared to England, Dickens was of the opinion that the United States of America was a friendlier environment to the women. The fact that every individual member of the society was offered political opinion indicated that women were beneficiaries of fair treatment by the political front (Dickens 80). It is this fair recognition of women from the political front that women were equally treated with equality in the society and offered opportunities that were offered by men. This was an aspect that really got Dickens having his respect and admiration towards the American society continue thriving despite the negative observations that he recorded. From the analysis of the observations that Dickens had in regard to America, it can be concluded that he was rather objective when analyzing the American social structure. The fact that he could admit both the strengths and weaknesses of the American society speaks of how much his work was professional. Finally though unlike Trollope, Dickens can be concluded to be an admirer of the American society since he openly confesses of the fact that he observes America as being a greater nation as compared to England. On the other hand the Trollope is remembered as the brain behind the most ill natured book of travel in America. The Domestic Manners of the Americans has been recorded as the most hypercritical books ever recorded in reference to the American society. Despite the positive title that she gave to her book, Trollope went ahead to unveil the iron involved in it by claiming that the American people lack manners, she observed the Americans as being humorless, inquisitive and boring (Trollope 61). To add to their antisocial traits, Trollope went ahead to state that the American people were self satisfied. Like her counterpart, Dickens, Trollope was very outspoken of the fact that slavery was a social evil that aimed at widening the gap that was already present between the rich and the poor in the society. In a nutshell, it can be said that from the analysis of her writing, Trollope considered the United States of America as being highly divided in terms of economic stratifications than her mother land, England. In regard to the women in the society, Trollope portrays America as a nation whereby the women are not considered as equally important part of the society. This is clearly seen in the part where a citizen does not believe the affirmation form president Andrew Jackson that his wife is still alive and not dead (Trollope 43). This clearly illustrates how much men in the American society are portrayed as not involving women in their affairs. It is a sad thing that a whole president’s wife is thought to be dead due to the fact that she is not seen in public despite the fact that she holds the title of the first lady. Trollope has portrayed women as being lesser beings in the sight of men and are therefore treated with very little regard and attention. From the analysis above and also form other analysis that have been conducted on the writings that were done by Trollope about America, it is very clear that she remains as one of the writers and travelers who held very little regard to the American way of ;life. As a matter of fact, this aspect has led her into not laying any attention to the positive aspects bout the American society and actually even exaggerating on the negative aspects that she could identify in the society. According to her, America can not at all match the heights that have already been achieved by England. This is a very opposite turn from the recordings that were done about Dickens. Work Cited Dickens, Charles. American Notes. London: Echo Library, 2006 Trollope, Frances. Domestic manners of the Americans, Volume 2. London: Whittaker, Treacher & Co., 1832 Read More