This morning, before I went to work, I happened to catch a movie I rather enjoy being shown. The Duchess starring Keira Knightley. For those of you not quite familiar with this movie, I highly recommend you view it. It may be difficult to watch and I would most adamantly recommend you do not include your small children in the viewing. For the very reason of the scene I am going to discuss. You might deem this a spoiler but this scene is not the entirety of the movie.
At this point in the film, the Duchess of Devonshire attempts to strike up a deal with her husband, the Duke. She will live amiably with his mistress, who is also her friend, blessing and condoning their extra-martial affairs on one condition:
She wishes her feelings for another gentleman to be accepted as well.
At this, the Duke is disgusted and indicates that he does not make deals. He insults the children of his mistress and demands an heir. The Duchess leaves the table with her husband and his mistress in her wake. The Duke pauses before quickly pursuing her. He follows her into her room, where he walks in. He proclaims that all he asked for from her was loyalty and a male heir, to which she replied, "The same as your dogs."
At that, the Duchess begins to scream and cry at as the Duke....rapes her.
Why, you must be wondering. Why would ANYONE want to watch a movie with that in it! I will be happy to tell you why. Because these atrocities happened every day in that period of time. This is where we get "Rule of Thumb" from. A man was allowed to beat his wife as long as the rod was no wider than his thumb. Women were made to do whatever a man wished, including be subjected to the sexual demands of her own husband, whether by choice or by force.
And because this world still hangs in the shadows of our society today.
If you have been watching the news, no doubt you have seen, heard and discussed the Steubenville case, where a girl of 16 who was incapacitated with substances (I can't remember if it was alcohol or what the case is) to the point where she cannot remember anything about that night. Where boys, who are active on the local football team, took advantage of this girl and her vulnerable state. Pictures were disseminated around the school and community. They were brought before the court and you know what sentence they were given?
Juvenile...until age 21...
That is, for the youngest, a total of 5 years. This girl's dignity was calculated to cost those boys 5 years of freedom. Meanwhile, her name was shared with the world, the boys were pitied for their life ending, and the town is outraged that this girl didn't keep silent.
Because that is what is taught. Be silent. Be quiet. Girls, don't create a fuss. I know the Dean of Students at my university had to step down because it was discovered that she had silenced rape reports. It's bad for PR, right? God forbid anyone speak up for the victim and protect them.
But I think the bigger problem lies in the fact that instead of teaching boys it is wrong to rape, we are teaching girls how to prevent being raped. Isn't that a bit backwards? It really makes me think about where our world is going and how can we prevent it from falling so hard?
Reflect on this and other things you see in the news. Then consider how you conduct your life. Are there ways you can improve the perception in the world? While you ponder, please enjoy a thing called, "La Vie."
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