Miss Havisham's wedding experience would have been life-altering from her perspective as a woman in the Victorian era for several reasons:
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Loss of Control and Agency: In the Victorian era, women often had limited rights and autonomy. A wedding was seen as a transition from a girl’s family home to her husband’s home. For Miss Havisham, who was jilted at the altar, this would have been a profound loss of control over her own life.
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Societal Expectations: During this time, women were expected to marry and fulfill their roles as wives and mothers. When her fiancé abandoned her, it would have not only caused personal heartbreak but also social shame and a sense of failure to fulfill societal norms.
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Financial Implications: While Miss Havisham was already wealthy, the societal norms of the time dictated that women were often financially dependent on men. Being jilted may have reinforced her decision to isolate herself and remain single, making her more empowered in her financial independence, albeit through trauma.
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Emotional and Psychological Impact: The shock of being left at the altar likely caused significant emotional trauma, leading her to live in a state of perpetual mourning. This drastically altered her reality and perspective on life, love, and trust.
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Empowerment through Status: Although she remained single and reclusive, this status also gave her a type of power that was uncommon for women of her time. Her wealth enabled her to live independently, which could be viewed as a form of empowerment, albeit born from her negative experience.
In summary, Miss Havisham's wedding experience was transformative because it encapsulated the complexities of women's roles, societal expectations, and the psychological ramifications of betrayal in the context of Victorian society.