“The Woman’s Cause is Man’s” is the final monologue of Prince Florian in Tennyson’s poem, “The Princess”. According to the footnote, in masquerading as a woman, Prince Florian attended Princess Ida's school for women and won her love. She turned her school into a hospital and married him. This kind of ending seems to make feminism seem like a youthful fancy, which maturity disposes of. Princess Ida has had her fun, but now it is time to grow up, to rejoin the real world. That, however, is just the surface. In this speech, Prince Florian demonstrates that his experience with feminism has been enlightening, and he expresses hope for a better future. “Blame not thyself too much,” I said. “nor blame/ Too much the sons of men and barbarous laws;/ These were the rough ways of the world till now,” (lines 1-3). Princess Ida is too far ahead of her time. Her ideology cannot function in the real world, not because it is wrong, but because society hasn’t caught up yet. With Princess Ida, Prince Florian hopes to set an example and pave the way for future generations. “We two will serve them both in aiding her -/ Will clear away the parasitic forms/ That seem to keep her up but drag her down-/ Will leave her space to burgeon out of all/ Within her - let her make herself her own/ To give or keep, to live and learn and be/ all that not harms distinctive womanhood,” (lines 252-258).
The idea of partnership between the sexes is an important theme. Florian’s view of feminism does not pitt women against men, but rather, it encourages them to learn from each other. “Not like to like, but like in difference./ Yet in the long years liker must they grow;/ The man be more of woman, she of man,” (lines 262-264). Men are better for knowing women, and women are better for knowing men. Both sexes have unique perspectives, strengths, and weaknesses due to both biological and sociological factors. However, their strengths and weaknesses complement each other, so together, men and women balance, learn from, and improve each other. Though both the female and male perspectives are equally valid, they are, individually, only half the story. Together, they see a more complete picture. They are stronger together than they are apart. “Seeing either sex alone/ Is half itself, and in true marriage lies/ Nor equal, or unequal: each fulfills/ Defect in each, and always thought in thought,/ Purpose in purpose, will in will, they grow,/ The single pure and perfect animal,” (lines 283- 288). Working in harmony, men and women pursue a common goal: a more perfect life on earth. Thus, “The woman’s cause is man’s,” (line 243). In doing so, “a statelier Eden”, (line 277) is created on Earth. Princess Ida and Prince Florian embody this idea. She has come back from seclusion to rejoin society because of him. He has been enlightened because of her influence. In the last few lines, Princess Ida teases him for his speech. “A dream/ That was once mine! What woman taught you this?” (lines 291-292).
Heather,
ReplyDeleteGood focus on and exploration of this selection from Tennyson's The Princess, with excellent handling of the quoted passages. I would like to see you explore more the last point, though: what do you make of Princess Ida's teasing comment? Is she at least half serious here? Is he saying what women want to hear?
In my opinion, she is serious here. He genuinely seems to have learned something from his experiences at her school, and is now pronouncing her views as his own. It seems sarcastic, like she's saying, "hmm, that all sounded familiar ... I wonder who you got that from ... oh yeah, ME!" Only she says it more affectionately because she is proud of how he has grown.
ReplyDeleteI like your discussion of how men and women compliment each other and in that sense need each other to fully realize their potential. However, I take issue with Prince Florian. He basically told Princess Ida that she needs to give up her dreams and her school so she can marry him. To me this is not a supportive relationship, but a one sided one. Where Ida must follow Florian back into society whether she wants to or not.
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