Belladonna

The Victorian period (which roughly coincides with the reign of Queen Victoria, 1837-1901) in which Belladonna is set saw several strict social and legal restrictions on women of all backgrounds. Though the primary female characters of the novel have slightly more options than other characters due to their families’ wealth, women in Victorian Britain were still afforded few options, particularly when it came to marriage.

Although some widows and single women could hold property, under the laws of coverture all of a woman’s rights and property were subsumed by her husband after marriage. Similarly, a woman’s autonomy and identity were combined with that of her husband. Women had little to no personal rights over their bodies or their life choices: They were expected to marry and have children and this was the only realistic prospect for the vast majority. Additionally, independent or single women were treated with suspicion and disapproval if wealthy or ridiculed if poor, as their lack of male attachment was seen to be unnatural. Signa’s independently wealthy circumstances at the end of the novel would have been extremely rare at the time. However, they would theoretically allow her to remain single or marry for love, unlike other characters such as Charlotte.

Young single women were also expected to behave demurely and to be guided by their families’ preferences in accepting a marriage proposal. Etiquette manuals and guidebooks, such as Signa’s A Lady’s Guide to Beauty and Etiquette, were popular amongst young Victorian women and warned particularly against what could happen if a woman did not remain entirely chaste. Etiquette was also enforced in wealthy families by governesses, who would often instruct young women on how to act in public and obtain accomplishments to impress a potential husband. Following the rules of etiquette was especially important for young women in search of a husband.

In the spring, the wealthiest families would bring their unmarried daughters to the city for their “debut” in society, officially marking their entrance into the marriage market. In Belladonna, Signa looks forward to her debut, as she has been led to believe that marriage is the only way she can live a fulfilled life as a woman.