Gender Roles and Female Experience

Where it surfaces

• II

  Amaryllis's concern over her ankles and hair reflects societal pressures on female appearance, while the strict silence rule at dinner underscores women's subordination in the household.

• III

  Mrs. Iden and Amaryllis are portrayed as irrational and rebellious in their eating habits, reflecting the constrained domestic roles of women.

• VI

  Amaryllis's secret observation of men reflects the constrained curiosity of a young woman in a patriarchal society, and her scorn for the 'mashers' contrasts with her instinctive fear of the rakish gentleman.

• VII

  Amaryllis's critical observations of men's ugliness reflect a female perspective on male appearance and the double standard in attraction.

• VIII

  Amaryllis is forced to attend the fair and change her dress; her defiance is noted as 'wilfulness' that could lead to the gallows.

• XIII

  Amaryllis's shame over her worn boots and her mother's lack of decent footwear underscore the economic vulnerability of women in the family.

• XVII

  Amaryllis is treated as a pawn to be traded or displayed, and her discomfort is dismissed as shyness, illustrating the limited agency of young women.

• XIX

  Amaryllis's thoughtful purchase of boots and bloaters for her mother reflects domestic duty and affection, while her mother's gratitude underscores maternal bonds.

• XXXII

  Mrs. Iden manages the household and dairy with frantic energy, while Amaryllis adopts a maternal, reproachful tone toward Amadis.

• XXXIII

  Amaryllis is strong and masterful, while Mrs. Iden manages the household; Amadis feels emasculated by his weakness.