It's a commonplace, marriage and women in marriage in a patriarchal society, the struggle between women's rights and men's rights, and how women can move up. Similar ones include "Princess of Monaco", "Anna Karenina", "Heartfire", "Chanel", "Young Victoria" and so on. What a timeless theme!
It's tedious to talk about the film, and like "Young Victoria," it's not great, but it's more nuanced than the latter. It is not easy to express multiple themes in a similar amount of time. The Duchess focuses on one point, so it is naturally easier to be detailed and in-depth.
In fact, no matter in the 18th century or now, the misfortune of women in marriage basically came from this patriarchal society, but the progress of history has made this situation a little better than in the past. This is not to say that women's misfortunes are all caused by the man opposite, but the hidden social framework around women. This social framework is the product of a patriarchal society, which binds not only women but also men, and controls men and women within this framework with an invisible and intangible means. For example, the social label inherent in men, the duke in "The Duchess" gets an heir at all costs, and gives him the property and honor he maintains and continues to inherit. This was seen as a top priority, for which the duke entered into a ridiculous prenuptial contract, using a cheque as a driving force for the birth of his new wife. Women have no ability to protect themselves in marriage, and they have an inseparable blood relationship with their children. The "unspoken rules" of submissiveness are completely inclined to men's laws, and even their natal family on the side of their husbands. They are all starring Keira Christina Knightley, but the lady in "The Duchess" is not like "Anna Karenina" who throws everything away and only wants to be independent. We have to forgive the frailties of human nature, especially isolated women.
Some say the lady in "The Duchess" isn't isolated, she also has her only best friend, Beth. In my opinion, Beth's little help is based on self-gratification. Her initial approach to the Duchess cannot be dismissed as a premeditated plan. The same unfortunate marriage, bound by children, did not create evil in the heart of the Duchess, on the contrary, Beth was unscrupulous.
Thanks to the current society, the status of women has improved more than a little bit compared to the 18th century, and there is a place for women in marriage law. Divorce is not that difficult, and men don't have a "veto" at home. So, why not work hard to improve yourself and leave those things that make you miserable and depressing? When the implicit framework of a male-dominated society gradually loosens, some women are unwilling to break free. I once raised a bird that lived in a cage from birth. I caught two wild parrots at a time, and the three birds were kept together. One day when there was no one at home, the two wild parrots bit the cage. It flew away, and when I got home, the bird was still in the cage, seemingly not understanding what was going on, the cage door was wide open. Those women are like this bird. After being imprisoned for a long time, they gradually forgot their human nature, and even their original intentions and ideals. Therefore, I never kept a bird again, although I love birds.
Patriarchal oppression comes not only from husbands, but also from fathers. However, there is nothing to be afraid of. If you really love your children, you should silently gain enough financial capacity to fight for the custody of your children, and make sacrifices for your children. You know, as a child, you don’t want to live in such a family? Unless you can really mend the relationship with her husband and make the family atmosphere harmonious. And many times, what women are afraid of is the sense of unknown after breaking the stable situation, and that feeling is sometimes hopeless. But, I would rather come out of the cage for the first time in my life and face the crisis-ridden world, rather than being in a cage of old age! In this way, it can be regarded as a bird, it should have a dangerous but vast world.
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