A comparison of the women in the Hardy Tales Essay Example for Free

A comparison of the wo custody in the Hardy Tales EssayRhoda in the tale The Withered Arm and Phyllis in the story The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion argon both really lonely women. Both of these women and have been treat by men, just now no(prenominal) of them ever speak out for themselves to tell the men that their behaviour is unacceptable. Women who were treated by men were just expected by their fathers (if the husband is rich) to just keep quiet and be happy that they are financially supported. Rhoda is a social reject. She has been isolated to a small, dilapidated cottage in the middle of a lonely field. Rhoda is of the poor working class. She has received no education and is illiterate. Her son wears worn out spot that rub his feet. farmer Lodge, the sons biological father takes no responsibility for his son and does not support Rhoda financially. This shows that Farmer Lodge is irresponsible and dismisses his responsibilities.When the story is told Rhoda is thirty to forty years of age, thin from starvation, dark eyed, poor and a single mother. She is a milkmaid and earns very little, no where near enough to feed her and her son properly. Rhoda was once very pretty and was in a relationship with Farmer Lodge. Farmer Lodge is a very shallow fickle man who is only attracted to the looks of a woman rather than her personality. Unfortunately, because he is rich some women fall for him although he never truly loves them.When Farmer Lodges new wife arrives Rhoda is very bitter just about her and strives to find a way in which she is better than Farmer Lodges new wife, Gertrude.Although Rhoda seems like quite an main(a) character that fends for herself, she has been mistreated by Farmer Lodge for quite sometime. Another woman who is severely mistreated by men is Phyllis in the tale The Melancholy Hussar of the German Legion. Phyllis is mistreated by her father who grows selfish and withdraws her from the town where she was happy with her friends.When Rhoda visits conjuror Trendle she sees that is was herself who caused the abrasion on Gertrudes arm she feels quite guilty. She would not care if it were soul else who caused it, but she feels bad because Rhoda knows it was her.At the end of the story, Rhoda has gained nothing and lost everything. Her son who she greatly loved and was the nestle thing in her life has been hanged for arson. At this time hanging for arson was common. Rhodas son was made an representative of for other arsonists.I blame Rhoda for her situation because it was social suicide for Farmer Lodge to be in a relationship with a poor milkmaid let alone have a sister together. Rhoda must have known this. If Rhoda had never have started a relationship with Farmer Lodge none of the following events would have occurred.It may have just been a coincidence that Gertrudes arm became deformed, but it litter Gertrude mad and eventually ended up killing her.