Suffragette: 'Never Give Up The Fight'

I never thought of myself as a feminist, and furthermore a campaigner for women's rights. Therefore I had not anticipated the immense feeling that came over once I left the cinema after watching this fantastic drama. As I strolled out, the world seemed somewhat questionable, even today, and I reflected on the times I had felt I was dismissed to participate in certain activities for simply being a girl. I don't want to seem like I'm preaching, but I really did, with the main question lingering in mind: Are men and women truly equal in the 21st century?

This is an argument that could lead to an endless debate, but a few points struck me that evening. For example, men are still paid a higher wage in some jobs. Women are expected to be replaced when they go on maternity leave and do not return to their original post on occasions when they return. In some countries, women are still heavily exploited in terms of labour.

Although, aside from this, women do have equal opportunities and in Britain at any rate. They have the same chance to go to university, they can please themselves just as men do and are not bound by social constrictions, although some jobs still retain a man or woman stereotype. Back in the early 1900s, women had little for to claim their own and the film certainly emphasises this. They had rights over their children. Only in 1925 was a law established to secure women's right to see their children. This issue is particularly addressed in the film and certainly saddened me.

As for the film itself, I thought it was an in-genuis piece of drama, with Carey Mulligan offering an exceptional leading performance. The film offers a great perspective on how working class women got in involved with the suffragette cause, contesting previous conceptions which suggest that this was an exclusive middle and upper class movement. The extent to which women went to declare their message was shown to a great, with rather harrowing scenes that shocked me and left me in ore of their selflessness and bravery.

I know we have had an election rather recently but seeing what these women endured to gain us the right to vote, encourages the idea that all women should use their vote even in ode to those women, even if you take no interest in politics. Seeing this masterpiece will influence you to exercise this right, or will provide you with admiration for women of the early twentieth century.

Far From the Madding Crowd- a moral message?

Since watching the new release starring Carey Mulligan, I believe Hardy's tale has a well known truth woven within his narrative. Although this book was released in 1874, approximately 150 years ago, we can still apply the moral message it showcases to our society today. It is timeless.

The three candidates for Miss Bathsheba Everdene, the lead role in this tale, sum up stereotypes we come across each day. They may already inhabit a place in your life at this current moment.

Firstly we encounter Mr Oak, with the forename Gabriel he is automatically depicted as the 'angel' or hero of the story. Gabriel is fiercely loyal to Miss Bathsheba Everdene and falls in love with her almost immediately on her arrival at her aunts farm. He proposes to her shortly afterwards but she declines as they were little acquainted.  He is six years her senior and a quiet man who lives a frugal and simple life. However he is kind, and caring and most importantly a gentleman. Played by Belgian actor Matthias Schoenaerts in the film, he is quietly handsome and rather rugged as a shepherd which has its own charm. In the modern day, Gabriel represents the friend or the guy that is always there for whenever you need him most.

Secondly we have William Boldwood, an older and wiser man with plenty of money who inhabits a nearby successful farm. Boldwood becomes obsessed with Miss Everdene after she sends him a valentine card, but she does not accept his proposal as she does not love him, although she thinks over the offer as he is the most eligible bachelor in the district. Michael Sheen portrays the character very well in the recent film. Today Mr Boldwood I'm sure is equalled by people similar to his situation, a wealthy man is always attractive although as the saying goes, money cannot buy you happiness.


Thirdly we meet Sergeant Troy, an obviously attractive man and a deadly charmer. Tempted by his alluring character and his dangerous profession, Bathsheba finds her infatuated with Troy and marries him through jealously as he explains of the woman he once loved. After all, women love a man in a uniform. His formidable character however becomes too much and Bathsheba simply falls out of what was a hasty attachment with him. He is eventually killed off by Mr Boldwood who shoots Troy when he grabs Miss Everdene in a rather violent manner. The classic tall, dark an handsome stereotype played perfectly by Tom Sturridge remains supreme in this tale. These traits are still pursued by women in society today; not much has changed. Although we may deny it, its true, women love the bad boys, that element of unexpected and the daring behaviour still impresses women. The lesson we learn however is looks are not everything and being risky or unstable is certainly not the best either. Despite Troy's charm he finds himself in binary opposition to our hero Gabriel; he is most definitely not a gentleman. 

So what is the message Far From the Madding Crowd leaves us to reflect on? Ultimately the good guy wins over the girl after her dismissal of him originally. The moral of the story is, don't be fooled by the flashy guy. The guy who gets all the attention, and possibly loves himself more than he loves you. Bathsheba was right not to agree to the marriage with Mr Boldwood who she knew would not make her happy, even with his copious amounts of money. Finally we turn to our hero Gabriel. His loyalty, gentlemanly manner and his kind and humble approach to life is after all what we all desire. Once he decides to leave, it dawns on Bathsheba that she cannot be without him and is ardently in love with him. Whilst this story is a didactic tale, it also embodies the perfect and realistic fairytale but rather than the 'prince' being a man of wealth, he is our simple farmer, a 'prince' I'm sure we all have or will have in our lives. 

The 70th anniversary of D-day

Seventy years ago today, June 6th 1944, was D-Day, the beginning of the end of war in Europe. This day, to you that do not know, was the giant aillied assault on Normandy France, codenamed operation Overlord. This invasion was conducted both by air and by amphibious landings on five beaches and parachute drops across northern Normandy. It is estimated that 15,000 men at least, were killed on this day alone. 















So, you may ask what is the importance of this day seventy years on? The sacrifice of so many stopped Hitler in his tracks of deploying more troops to the Eastern front, which would have meant the war would have most certainly continued, killing thousands more on the home front and in action. Therefore, our freedom even now should be attributed to this day, and to the British, American and Canadian soldiers who liberated those beaches.

I visited Normandy ten years ago, on the 60th anniversary of the D-day landings. Even though I was only young, it struck me how recent those sacrifices were. When visiting Normandy, the five beaches and the coastal towns, it is like walking into a time capsule. It feels, when walking around the towns and along the beaches, and as a child running down the bomb craters that you can sense the pounding of feet, the sound of shells and the firing of guns. The floating harbours, built to contain military vehicles still stand as they were once put 70 years ago. Furthermore, the gun battlements, built by the Germans to defend the Atlantic coast, still prevail on the top of the cliffs, surrounded by bomb craters created by the British airforce. Most importantly, the tales of the veterans who still live today is our most prominent reminder of this monumental invasion. This is why I believe it is important to remember these events, as we can witness first hand, the history of D-day. 

The famous film Saving Private Ryan (1998) and television series Band of Brothers (2001) give a realistic and hard hitting portrayal of operation Overlord and I most defiantly recommend you give those a watch to at least have a glimpse into the horrific chaos these young men endured.


Saving Private Ryan- Omaha beach

Band of Brothers- Normandy Drop