While Constance technically willingly married Bonacieux, she didn't have a great deal of choice. She wouldn't have had the same earning potential as a man, and as a spinster wouldn't have been able to leave her family.
Bonacieux surely didn't marry her believing she did/would love him. I didn't get the impression at all that he was upset and hurt that his wife was unfaithful, rather jealous and angry that another man touched his property. After all, he wasn't protesting that he'd been faithful to her. And it's not as if Constance can divorce him.
I don't think it's fair to condemn her for trying to find happiness in a society heavily skewed against women.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: The Issue of Infidelity
Date: 2014-03-18 10:18 pm (UTC)Bonacieux surely didn't marry her believing she did/would love him. I didn't get the impression at all that he was upset and hurt that his wife was unfaithful, rather jealous and angry that another man touched his property. After all, he wasn't protesting that he'd been faithful to her. And it's not as if Constance can divorce him.
I don't think it's fair to condemn her for trying to find happiness in a society heavily skewed against women.