In Summation...

Since Kristine did such a wonderful job of covering several bases I've taken on a couple other facets of what I believe Chick-Lit is, or is doing. Beginning with Satire (apologies for the repeat section), I think that Chick-Lit illustrates the many difficulties in fulfilling societal roles. If we are to count Cranford and How To be Good as Chick-Lit, I would say that Chick-Lit, also complicates the importance of female relationships, and female independence. In addition, I think How to Be Good actually sheds some light on the complexity of a traditionally masculine role of provider. Seeing Katie's conflict with her role as bread-winner of the family make me wonder, if a guy would have the same conflicts in today's society--being that men are now encouraged to be more emotional or caring as in addition to taking on the role of provider at times. So, read on, and I welcome any comments or suggestions!

Satire

Neither Cranford or How to Be Good can be considered biting satire. Cranford is suggestive of a satirical portrayal of life in a small town and the pettiness of aristocratic society. However we have not been able to identify the direct target of the satire. If small town life were satirized completely, how could Miss Matty be so valourized as a product of the small town? She could not. Similarly, we might recognize How to Be Good as a satirical nudge at the life of working women with families. Katie Carr is laughably frustrated with her familial life. Despite success in her professional life, she finds it next to impossibile to be happy while fulfilling the roles of mother, wife, and provider of the family. Perhaps Chick-Lit is not meant to function as a complete satire--as we might guess by reading Bridget Jones' Diary. Perhaps Chick-Lit uses satire to complicate the roles of women in society--modern or otherwise.

Female Relationships/ Friendships

In Cranford the importance of female relationships takes precedence over everything. One the surface these relationships are superficial and are invested in appearances. However, the book valourizes ‘genuine’ friendship, like the one between Mary Smith and Matty Jenkyns. Also, despite the superficiality involved in the other feminine relationships, the women are able to band together when one of them needs help—like when the Cranford women are able to put money together to aid Miss Matty in her bankruptcy.

In How to be Good, the importance of female relationships is more in the background. Katie’s friendship with her co-worker, Becca, is rather superficial. They go for lunch and talk about each other’s lives, but the communication in this relationship is faulty. Becca doesn’t notice until days after their lunch meeting that Katie confesses to her about her extra-marital affair. Despite that this female relationship is almost completely ineffectual, Katie seems to rely upon the interaction.

It seems then, that female relationships--superficial or otherwise--are integral to Chick-Lit. The women of Cranford, and Katie in How to Be Good, rely upon these friendships. In Cranford, female relationships are portrayed as both a societal convention (the group of Cranford women) and a testament of individual genuine affection (Miss Matty and Mary Smith's friendship). In How to Be Good Katies friendship with Becca is habitual. Habitual to the degree that the relationship's communication falters. Yet Katie still needs that relationship; and, despite the communacative flaw, is able to sort out some of her feelings through sharing.

Female Independence

In Cranford, many of the women appear to have independence. Not all rely upon wealth to make them independent. Some use their ‘good’ aristocratic name—like Lady Glenmire; others turn to the mercantile business like Miss Betty Barker or Mrs. Fitz-Adam. Since Cranford is held by the ladies, it appears that female independence is an issue of the utmost importance. However, it appears that the women are not able to be completely independent, as they rely upon males in the society on several occasions. As the doctor is Mr. Hoggins, the women must rely upon him in the event of sickness. Also, as in the supposed burglaries of Ch. “The Panic”, the women believe they need male presence to ensure their safety. These are just two examples of the reliance upon male figures in Cranford. So, despite the attempt to create an independent, female society, the women of Cranford still must rely upon masculine figures.

As we’ve discussed on the blog before, in How to Be Good, Katie Carr is continuously emphasizing her role as a doctor, and sole breadwinner of the family. Though we might not call this female independence, Katie’s obsession with her role as the provider of the family, sets her up to be a woman whose independence supports both herself, David, and the kids. However, Katie also feels trapped in this position. She regrets sometimes being the working parent, while David spends more time with the children. She also feels limited in her roles. After taking a flat away from home Katie reflects upon her feelings: “[...] when you take away working hours and family suppers and family breakfasts: the time I get on my own is the time I would have spent being a wife, rather than being a mother or doctor. (And God, how frightening, that those are the only options available [...]” (211). Here, despite the former appearance of independence and self-sufficiency, Katie is deeply fearful and conflicted by her roles in life. Initially, we might be tempted to view Katie as the picture of modern feminine autonomy: financially securing life for herself and her family. However, as witnesses to her inner conflict, the picture of female autonomy becomes cloudy, and we are left with the question of whether or not she is really independent when she feels trapped within her familial relationships.

Both novels, then, illustrate the impossibility of complete female independence. In Cranford, the women find themselves relying upon men at various junctures, despite being a society held by the ladies. In How to Be Good, Katie is continually conflicted with her position as an independent women. Moreover, Katie is actually limited in her supposedly autonomous position.