Women have been at the mercy of man since creation. Eve's sharing of her fruit with Adam caused her the loss of some valuable property.
And, now, let us jump some years to the future and read that in Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, that pathetic writer who needed to get paid for her writing to survive.
"That is true, cried Marianne, in a cheerful voice, and walking to the window as she spoke, to examine the day, I had not thought of that. This weather will keep many sportsmen in the country."
Imagine that the weather is being chided for not considering her need to dally with sportsmen. How inconsiderate of the weather to keep her men where she could see to their comfort. That entire male dominated culture from Adam on has not changed a wit. We could jump to the public newspaper hounding click of débutantes and their escorts found in New York and see the same mindset of pleasing men. Of course, women are necessary, other women are necessary to give those women who have targeted and been targeted by their gentlemen some point of focus. Without other women, then their jousting for precedence in the débutantes roll is meaningless. Marianne continues
"It was a lucky recollection; all her good spirits were restored by it. It is charming weather for them indeed. she continued, as she sat down to the breakfast table with a happy countenance. How much they must enjoy it! But(with a little return of anxiety) it cannot be expected to last long. At this time of the year, and after such a series of rain, we shall certainly have very little more of it."
I am assuming that she is talking about the weather and rain. How pathetic. You are only living and alive if you have men to impress and to tease but with the understanding of society débutantes that you will give out. Otherwise, your life won't be worth much and men treating women who teased and didn't give out, with their particular brand of vile, free from prosecution slanderous attacks, have taught by example what a woman even a wealthy one can expect if she doesn't give out. For the most part women have made their own decisions and have nurtured them.
