Y Ddraig Goch

Sept 25 - Best companions

Prompt: "Her own thoughts and reflections were habitually her best companions. " Jane Austen

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Jane Austin grew up in a very different time period. Society was very different. The world was very different. It was harsher, particularly towards woman. How the world looked at, and perceived women was very different. It was very much a "man's world". Women had hardly any rights. Unless they were a widow, they didn't control their wages, or "own" their homes. Everything defaulted to their husbands. It's why marriage was just a pivotal event.

Jane Austin wrote about those times in her novels and was influenced by her own experiences and the lives of those around her. It's largely why they are still popular today. What's unsettling is that many of the threads that we see in Austin's novels are still prevalent into today's society as well. I can't remember how many times in my twenties I was asked if I had a boyfriend, or was told 'better hurry up, you don't want to be left on the shelf',,, Seriously, the shelf was a wat better option most of the time.

In that environment or time, when a woman's thoughts or opinions were often dismissed or ridiculed, I can understand why her own thoughts and reflections were habitually her best companions. Especially when there are consequences for voicing differing thoughts.

What's funny is that the thoughts and reflections of the women in Austin's generation led to the feminine right movements. They began to push back and use their voices.

Unfortunately, it's not hard to imagine living in a world and being deemed less because of gender, race or ethnicity, political views, or religion. Having to fight harder for positions of success. Having to consider how you articulate something just so you aren't told you are being emotional or aggressive. Having to justify your choice of having children or not, or going back to work instead of staying at home with them - no, I am not any less of a mother just because I chose (I use that word loosely) to go back to work, I am still very much a full-time mum, thanks...

As a child I often played on my own and I was ok with that. I was quite happy being in my own head on times - still am. It's much quieter. Less argumentative and judgemental. Ever so slightly scatty.