In Maude Clare Analysis

According to the feminist writer Fay Weldon, “Men are irrelevant.” “Women are happy or unhappy, fulfilled or unfulfilled, and it has nothing to do with men.” Why then do traditional fairy tales portray women who judge their self worth upon whether or not a handsome Prince wants to marry them? Why are the Prince's in these tales only concerned with women's beauty and not their wit or intellect? Traditional nineteenth century gothic fiction stereotyped women as naïve ''damsels in distress'', constantly reliant on male protection. Women who rebelled against this stereotype, or got men into trouble were punished.

The poetic works of Christina Rossetti explore to what extent women are victims. Rossetti was concerned with the different layers upon which
Nell is modest, but loves Thomas. Maude Clare, the spurned mistress is bitter, forceful; “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”. Like 'A Triad', Maud Clare is a woman 'eaten up' by a love that has died, jealous, angry, bitter and out of control. Is she a victim of his rejection? Or her own passion? Either way she can't let go. In many ways this links to the way Maxim's second wife views his first wife Rebecca. She sees Rebecca as a 'goddess' whom she wishes to emulate. Little does she know that Rebecca was a spiteful woman, who made Maxim very unhappy and provoked him into shooting her. In Rossetti's 'Noble Sisters'; sibling jealousy is portrayed, but not rivalry. One sister can't let the other go. This theme is exemplified in 'Goblin Market,' a poem that tells of the power of sacrifice. In Northanger Abbey, Catherine hates the hold that General Tilney has over his son, leading to her own paranoia (thinking he killed his