The spirit of Bechdel noncompliance

[vass]

"Come," cried he, advancing to us, "you ladies must not sit together; wherever I go I always make it a rule to part the ladies."

And then, handing Miss Branghton to the next chair, he seated himself between us.

"Well, now, ladies, I think we sit very well. What say you? for my part I think it was a very good motion."

"If my cousin likes it," said Miss Branghton, "I'm sure I've no objection."

"O," cried he, "I always study what the ladies like,-that's my first thought. And, indeed, it is but natural that you should like best to sit by the gentlemen, for what can you find to say to one another?"

-- Fanny Burney, Evelina

(I should note that the book itself passes.)

Comments

[schemingreader]

Wow, good point! I loved this book. And it's true, for a novel that's about a young woman getting married, there are a lot of female characters who discuss other things!

[ar]

Lol! I may need to read this. :D