Yesterday in class, an interesting idea came up: are the men in this novel just props/plot devices for Mary and her journey? After thinking about it, I am of the opinion that yes, they are. When I think of the male characters, they are not as defined as Mary is and serve plot-related purposes that women often fill.

Take William for instance. Like how often girlfriends serve as just a love interest to save in superhero movies, William is just a love interest that causes Mary emotional and mental turmoil. He is what she wants, but cannot have. He is the reason that she ultimately decides that she will not marry a farmer, a life she would not have minded to live. William is the reason that she takes the grapes and attracts Sir Peter’s creepy attention. William does little (so far) and seems to have two character traits: in love with Mary and sexist jerk. He is not nearly complex as Mary. (He does not even come close.)

Sir Peter, the farmer suitor, and Mr. Pelham are the same as William, offering very little character besides the bare bones. Sir Peter is just a straight-up villain. He is a creepy, slimy, rapist. The farmer suitor does not even have a name (so far) and is referred to only twice. He just serves as an actual plausible choice for Mary’s husband, but one that Mary rejects due to her love for William. So, basically, he just highlights Mary’s love for William much like how Sir Peter does (but in a non-creepy, non-rapist way). Mr. Pelham is a mere obstacle for Mary and William’s relationship, creating more problems for Mary. He has no character besides being prejudiced and stuck-up. That’s it.

Even Mr. Raymond is akin to William and the others. He may have a bit more character than them, but in the end, he serves as a plot device as well. To name just one instance, his death is what leads Mary into the rapey arms of Sir Peter (unknowingly, of course). Honestly, as the father character, I figured that he would die that moment I started reading the novel, and he died when I thought he would. Mr. Raymond fulfilled his purposes, which was to raise, teach, protect, and impart the idea that Mary could not be with William, so it was time for Mr. Raymond to die and jump-start the beginning of Mary’s misery. Though I would argue that Mr. Raymond still has more character than the other male characters, he is used much like them in that his entire character revolves around Mary and is used in accordance of how to tell and enact her story.

As for Edmund Pelham, well, we as a class had to look up his name because no one could remember it. Enough said.

(Word count: 474)