Hi. I'm Noria. I make character-focused commentary videos THREE times a week: MONDAYS (Anime/Manga), WEDNESDAYS (movies/tv shows), FRIDAYS (anything else really. Books. Games. More movie/TV show content etc).
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she's all talk, no action We've hear her talk about how women could aspire for more and how shallow her peers are for not seeing beyond marriage, yet we've yet to see her actually stand up and look for more, her little escapades to the print with the working class guy were her feeling excited about trying to find her tabloid whisperer than true curiosity about women's rights, which the guy seemed to point her to, after that she doesn't mention it again I call it quirky feminism, its purpose its to establish Eloise as an anti-establishment character who says clever things and contradicts the norm, while she clearly enjoys the benefits of said establishment, or at least is in a position of losing nothing, and does nothing to overthrow it lol I'd love to see what the women behind her have to say, u know, all the working class women who have no prospects but a life in service, no security net like her family, no say in society, and on top, have to serve women like her
I think it shows how privileged Eloise really is. Unlike other women in Bridgerton, they don't have the flexibility to be "bougie" about their options. The other ladies are acutely aware of their limits, including their marriageable prospects. In the 3rd season, Clarissa and Eloise, becoming friends, gave insight into her behavior. The fact she called Eloise on her loud gossip further proves why many ladies do not like Eloise. Or how the dressmaker reminds Penelope; she has far more power than she realizes. Once Eloise admits to Penelope that she's jealous of her ability to be Lady Whistledown, garner a following, and make money... that says it all. Eloise has had this idea that because she's a woman, she can't do what her brothers can. And to some degree, she can't, but she doesn't understand how her privilege has afforded her so much more than her counterparts. Maybe she finds music dull or needle work boring, but no one in her family called her on her "bougie" attitude. Then again, family has a way of making jabs in the vein of joking and fun. Which makes one wonder, why was she really friends with Penelope? She didn't take her seriously until she found out Penelope always loved Colin. Eloise goes on to try to protect her brother rather than her friend; forcing her Lady Whistledown secret out on her terms rather than Penelope's. Season 3 for Eloise was a reckoning to force her to grow up. And rather stay and attempt to do right by others; she leaves for Scotland.(Which was far more harsh than London at that time) 🤷🏾♀️🤷🏾♀️
I was so excited to see this title! YES! This is exactly what I came to realise. Eloise isn't a feminist for all women, she's just upset that she can't be a boy with their same privileges in society, and is in the business of putting other women and "femininity" in general down in order to feel better about herself and her situation. Can't wait to watch this!!
A childhood classic ❤. There's something just so magical about a silly action pack adventure movie, esspecially when in contrast to our modernised environment.
Eloise proved that she is NOT a girl’s girl this season. Multiple times she basically told Penelope she was unlovable. She didn’t give a crap about Cressida being married off to someone’s grandfather 😫
True and obvious the moment s2 rolls around and you see that there’s not a convo she has with a woman where she either 1. Actually lets them speak or 2. Takes their interests seriously when she actually lets them get a word in edgewise.
Honestly? I love to see a female character that isn't interested in being perceived as generous, friendly, and goody goody. Eloise being spoiled, privileged and self centered - while also not being entirely "evil" per se - is somehow refreshing. Of course she is not concerned about the other - most of the ton and the Bridgertons themselves aren't. It's that class lenses that shades everything, and I also don't expect for a romance series to fully develop solidarity beyond some liberal and very individual perspective. There's room for growth, change and also expanding Eloises interests. Maybe the series follows this path, but I find very "obvious" that she is aligned with her brothers than with ladies that maybe appears to "take in" a type of [privileged and dull] womanhood that she finds limitating without considering her role in a big picture.
I have never thought she was a feminist icon. I always yhought she was using feminist rhetoric to distance herself from the marriage mart practices and hide from possibly forming an attachment to man that would ultimately put her in the traumatizing sitiation that her mother was in the wake of edmonds death. Honestly, she has a good emotional basis to become a rake. But speaking about eloise right now, I wouldnt say she hates embroidery or gossip. But the fact that, women are limited solely to these things in her class and at this time. Additionally, she rails against the idea that women are to learn things like embroidery, managing a home, 4 languages, pianoforte, etc to be prize worthy (marriagable) for a man that may act like anthony. We also see how easily a womans interest and even their ability to choose for themselves gets shaped and made bythe men in they choose. Cressida was litterally going to be married off to an old man that hates balls and finery. Anthony had to choose between his mom of the new baby. Also, she is well within her right to tell pen to stop publishing as whistledown because the gossip was not elevating anyone other than pen, and we are talking about netflix pen. Even pen didnt realize that she was using whistledown as an outlet for her frustrations ( and bullying other women) until Seadon 3. Meanwhile, Eloise levied the same critique at whistledown in season 2. Eloise said that whistledown could write about so much more for women but chose to write about town gossip, gossip that usually painted women in a negative light. And thats isnt her being jealous, that's a fact followed by a critique. I do think the show is doing a disservice by continuing this feminist stuff. Part 2 of season 3 shot what little development she was getting in foit snd made her horrible fir the sake of being pens friend,which i dont like, but happy for them.
I think there is validity in some of the things you’re saying, you’re right that Eloise looking down on woman’s traditional roles and interests is NOT feminist, but I also think that saying a woman being selfish or doing things for herself is also not feminist of you, because women are expected to take on others burdens even against their own interests or well being a lot of the time, and to say that a woman should just “suck it up” especially if she lives within the context of an objectively patriarchal society is straight up playing into misogyny.
This! And also, feminist icons don't put other women down... Apart from never really listening to the person she considered 'best friend', she showed 0 interest in understanding Daphnie's perspective in season 1. All she did was judge...
I felt this way for so long and felt crazy because I never really saw anyone else say it! She would always belittle or gaslight the other women of the show when they would show excitement at the prospect of finding a love match or enjoying stereotypically feminine hobbies was aggravating. She was incapable of having conversations without redirecting it to herself and treated everyone else’s desires as trivial. I always have a problem with supposed activists who do not have the empathy to understand other’s feelings and struggles. She kind of represents to me a lot of whats wrong with the white feminism in today’s society. Her understanding world issues beginning and ending with the problems of fellow white women, treating white men, or men in general, as these uber-privileged people without a single problem while ignoring benefits they themselves get, shunning fellow white women who don’t agree with their worldviews, and ignoring everyone below them.
I think Eloise’s character arc over 3 seasons might betray a too-many-cooks-in-the-kitchen situation, but if a good show runner gets a hold of her for her season, I could see them doing a great redemption arc for her. They have used Claudia Jessie’s great comedic acting talents in the past, but I know the actress has a deep and mostly untapped (in Bridgerton) ability for heart wrenching dramatic acting. So I really hope they get there. Yeah, her “feminist credentials” in the first 3 seasons look almost like a feminist parody-the best case scenario is the show turns that around and gives her chances to be a) genuinely intersectional (maybe in s4 with Sophie?) and b) truly humane in her interactions with the whole (by then, traumatized) Crane family.
LOVE this concept, I see a 'one of the boys' type to be the middle ground between a 'pick me' (pretends to like what her chosen dude likes) and a 'girl's girl' (truly prefers female spaces and company). Eloise is one of the boys in terms of genuinely having more male coded tastes and putting in zero effort to try to empathize with women who may have different views/tastes
I agree with you. It speaks volumes that the only time she defends other women is when the guy her mum sets her up with insults them. She needs to learn to extend those thoughts beyond her private interactions with men and show up for the women in her life. Cressida needed her! Penelope needed her! But nope, she was to wrapped up in her own mess to care.
I'm at the section where you compare Eloise to her brothers and it made me realise, do we ever know what Eloise's true passions are? She always talks about her lack of education but we never know *what* she'd like to be educated for, right? It could be a really interesting character trait for a person to just want education as a whole, to desire it so bad that they'd study anything, but for a character as stubborn and strong headed as Eloise, I feel like by now she would have had a specific passion chosen along with her passion for further education, so she feels even more shallow to me.
When a child experiences trauma, it often gives them a sense of being more mature than others their own age. It's like the trauma is an aging experience. So it wouldn't surprise me if Collin felt more mature for his age after his dad died, and then resented everyone in his family for treating him the same age he actually is. (I, too, am not a psychologist) Loved this video!
When Cressida was confiding in Eloise about her fears of being married to that horrid old man I felt for her, she was heavily implied at being at risk of being maritally SAed! and I was enraged on how dismissive Eloise was with her fears and attempts to devise a plan with her. If their situations had been reversed, Eloise would be frantic for Cressida and others to help her eacape her fate, and yet, when it is someone else, she is not only passive she doesn’t present as being concerned at all! I still like her character and am willing to give her the benefit of the doubt due to her age and immaturity.... but I still have concerns and hope the writers give her a chance to grow and mature in later seasons for the better.
That’s why I couldn’t stand her character. It’s rather misogynistic. However, I love the actress, Claudia!!! She is sooo beautiful and hilarious, and that’s why I can’t help but like Eloise in some way. She’s the most stunning character imo, besides Edwina
She is 1 of 8 kids, of which 4 are girls. They must all be vying for their parents' attention. Sibling rivalry is too real for them underneath their love. A lot of them especially the girls have refined and developed talents, like Daphne and Francesca. Hyacinth too has the smarts. Eloise probably as a kid tried to excel in some accomplishment but failed to do so. She desperately wanted to overlook that perceived 'flaw' in herself. Hence the outward belittling to console herself initially. This soon progressed to defiance when she was forced to learn despite not having a talent for them. She's probably feeling lost and turning to different avenues to broaden her horizon so that she may find what she excels at. Hard work and motivation is what she needs to actually live her 'talk', which we have as yet not seen from her. As to her empathy and humane side, i fear it may develop only after she has worked hard and achieved something for which she's acclaimed by people around her. For, only after her thinking side is used up/ satisfied, is her feeling side ready to be developed. She's not feeling dominant. But once she achieves even a small success and is a little recognised, it'd be a nice change to see her feel humble and think back and apologize to all the people she's hurt on her way there. Also there appears to be a little bit of self loathing in her hatred for/ disparaging of others. Self love will take some hard work, after which only may any other love/ romance enter her life. I feel like I'm writing famfic lol. Gosh, i suddenly felt bridgerton is not all that serious while watching s3, something i haven't felt in previous 2 seasons and spinoff. It's like they have formulated with a couple ball scenes, heartbeat sounda between leads, couple sex scenes, drama solved disney style and voila done!
Eloise doesn’t advocate for women’s rights, she doesn’t use her own rather powerful position as a bridgerton to better the lives of other women, she just judges them for not making the same decisions as her. Especially in the case is Penelope, she doesn’t even notice that her own wealth makes spinsterhood comfortable but Penelope has no such wealth.
This makes perfect sense to me!!! This show/characters have such potential, but after Season 3 I’m scared to hope for anything deep or well thought out with the show going forward.
I understand why people are frustrated with Eloise's character development. However, she is more nuanced than people are giving her credit for. I'm not saying she is a perfect character because she isn't. But I'd like to address one criticism of her characterization I am not fond of. Eloise dislikes her peers because they disliked her first. The reason she became a wallflower is because other women her age have difficulty relating to her - both because of her interests and her goals. Discrimination, of any form, is often a two-way street. People don't usually hate other people until they are hated. For example, because I was bullied as an adolescent, I have low opinions of jocks and cheerleaders which I try to combat as an adult. And to varying degrees this serves an important function in society because it helps narrow down the people we might like or love. I'm not saying that being disliked is permission to hate others. I'm saying that Eloise has very few reasons to appreciate or engage with these people because they ostracized her from the start. Why would she be nice? It is my deepest hope, for Bridgerton season 4, that Eloise realizes what she has done to Cressida is cruel. And not because Cressida is a perfect person, but because she deserves to be known beyond the facade. This proves to Eloise that she cannot simply stereotype everyone she meets, because some women will defy those stereotypes and prove to be good friends. But this means Cressida has to understand Eloise's value too - that things that set her apart from her peers can be a blessing. I think she has the makings of a Lady Danbury if she can learn how to wear a mask to achieve her goals. Cressida will need someone smart to help her out of her situation. Eloise will likely be without Penelope for much of the season. And since they will both be in Scotland next season, my hope is that these polar opposites will realize they are more alike than they think.
Yes! Eloise has feminist leanings, but she won’t make it there until she works through her “not like other girls” phase, and recognizes how extraordinarily privileged she is. At least, as she’s presented on screen; I haven’t read the books.
I agree, and the title of your video is not surprising to me at all. I liked... no, more like tolerated Eloise from the first scene in S1 we all saw her in, I wanted to like her, I really did. I understand her character, and I wanted to like, love, her for her ideals. But I simply couldn't say more than "I tolerate her" from the first scene in which she was so unfairly critical and straight downplaying Daphne's wants to marry and have children, her desire to have family. I just couldn't push aside that all her talk about women being opressed in the society was all talk, and that only her wants not to be the stereotypical woman were the ones she respected; she was sooo harsh on Daphne, and I just felt sad at how much sh*t she was giving Daphne for wanting what Eloise saw as "stereotypical womanly role/position in society". And that just got soooooooo much worse in S3, with her just sacking Cressida for trying to find a way out of the problems she was facing (mainly the possibility of her getting married off to that old man). If Eloise was a good friend and a feminist (helping a girl in need because feminism is about having the choice) she'd have helped, but instead she just told Cressida she couldn't do it and that rubbed me the wrong way (that's one of the points you brought up in your recent video about Eloise not being a good friend and I agree! she's a sh*t friend, looking only at herself and not caring or helping those she was supposed to see as her friends). I really wanted to like Eloise, but she's just so... focused on herself and just a bad friend, and after S3 I really can't say I like her, especially after her treatment of Cressida. I want her to do better, but damage has been done. Thanks for reading my comment, remember to stay hydrated and have a nice day/evening! :)
Eloise definitely is the epitome of, "Not like other girls." Mind you in middle school I definitely felt this way because I was way more shy compared to the other girls in my class, has no interest in dating, and had different interests. However over time I realized that all women are different. Come in different experiences, interests, personalities. It doesn't mean one is better than the other. It just means every girl is no exactly as the other I hope that makes sense
She is a clear example of internalized misogyny. She feels compelled to spurn things which are feminine coded in herself and others. And to condemn peers who conform to these societal norms. Sellouts and traitors were some of the most efficacious ways of perpetuating the patriarchy and paternalism of England and the other colonial powers.
She wants to be seen as a peer and equal to her brothers. She also feels superior to other girls who are conventionally feminine and ridiculed them as superficial, vapid, vain and so on. Just like the chauvinist men in her life.
Your comment on the art of embroidery as an art is so true and it's quite interesting considering how she talks about Benedicts freedom to pursue "art" as opposed to her pursuing her own interest. As you also mentioned, Francesca also pursues the art of the Pianoforte. It is Eloise who looks down on certain art forms because they are seen as feminine art forms. She indeed wants to be one of the boys, other women be damned. This is what pissed me off the most at her treatment of Pen once she finds out the secret. She was jealous that Pen had the courage to do all she claims she wants to do. She was infuriated that Pen found power within the restrictions of being a noble woman while all she did was talk about things.
Fr. It’s really harsh to think about how much she admires lady whistle down when she didn’t know who she was or when she was writing about the featheringtons. She was okay as long as she left unscathed.
@@Jomama-man Yep. And what really bothered me is that Pen repeatedly warned her to stop doing what she was doing because people could talk. Eloise put herself in a position to be gossiped about, then got mad when Pen wrote about her in an effort to protect her from the queen. I mean, was Pen completely in the right with writing about El, no, but Eloise's reaction was extreme.
Yes! I remember my mom trying to get me into knitting, crocheting, and embroidery as a kid. (She wasn't forcing me because we were just trying to find a mom/daughter bonding hobby.) I did NOT have the skill or patience for it and was just confused about how to do what. 😂 I respect the women who can MAKE something from it!
@@SmillyDonut Agree! Eloise admired LW as a badass woman leaving her mark in an otherwise male-dominated world. But when it was HER name being written about, she was furious. And was Pen 100% right in her choice? No. But did Eloise's reckless choice to keep doing what she was warned NOT to do drive her to do it? Also yes. I hate how Pen is made out to be entirely in the wrong when Eloise played her role too.
This is so accurate! Eloise wants to be “not like other girls” so bad. She’s more simple than the girls of the ton that are ACTUALLY pursuing what they want (succeeding in the marriage mart to maintain/improve social status and start a family). I saw some people call her a radical thinker which I call bs on. Like Penelope and Cressida said, all Eloise does is talk. The fact she used Francesca’s marriage as a way to leave Mayfair was pathetic. That’s not taking action. That’s hopping on her sister’s bandwagon. Let’s say Theo in season 2 was supposed to be her soulmate. If Eloise’s supportive family vehemently disagreed, she would choose them over Theo. You know who chose love over family, the real radical? Mary Sharma. Eloise doesn’t have the balls to take action. I rewatched Season 1 and gained more respect for Daphne because she used her strengths and status to help Marina and to ensure she advanced her status in society. Eloise takes it for granted. Eloise and Cressida’s “friendship” was always going to be short lived. The definition of misery loves company. Eloise needed a sidekick who will listen to her whine all the time. Cressida was Pen’s temporary stand-in. If she really believed in feminism, she wouldn’t have continued to befriend Cressida after she saw her humiliate Penelope in Season 3 Episode 2. She accused Pen of only befriending her to “trap” Colin. By the season 3 finale, she doesn’t acknowledge her selfishness or jealousy of Pen for ACTUALLY taking action. I’m relieved Season 4 will center Benedict. I give it a 1/5 to revamp her character. She needs to acknowledge her flaws and insecurities before she gets a season. What is her purpose? Why didn’t she start her own publication? Why don’t we see her attend the seminars she talks about? I can’t watch a season centered around such an insufferable character. Her life is boring. Eloise doesn’t really have friends. She goes on walks and sits in the drawing room all the time. She’s not written with the nuance of Anthony or the charm of Benedict. Quite frankly, she’s one-note like Colin. Maybe she’ll have a good side storyline for next season. MAYBE if done right.
That’s exactly what I thought when watching season two. When she was criticizing LW for writing only gossip, instead of big feminist ideas. I was thinking. Well, Eloise. How about we get on that desk, pick up a quill and start writing those feminist ideas and then go publish them. Like, she just wants to hop on an already established author’s work and not have to go through the hurdle of finding an audience and getting criticism and push backs for her ideas. Basically all the good stuff without the actual work and sacrifice. I hope the writers acknowledge that this upcoming season
About to start this video and I am not at all surprised at the title. Not quite sure what she's "one of the boys" means yet, but Yeah. Eloise is what many people confuse feminism to be.
I am not confused at all, I have said that Eloise is not a feminist for the whole of season 3! And I agree with the comment left by @osimiri7111 when she states that Eloise is a representation of the worst stereotypical feminist. Non a person who supports equality but just one who would rather have women in power. This shows in s1 with Daphne when Eloise does not understand why Daphne wants to marry and submit herself to a man. She simply can't accept that other women WANT to be married. Feminists shouldn't avoid marriage. It should be possible to have a choice. In s3 she belittles the girls that love embroidery... like they are LESS or even STUPID for liking it. But there are other 2 examples!!! When she talks to Penelope to give up LW. She says something like "You have to give up LW. You will be a Bton. Can't be both"... WTF ELOISE??? Where is the feminist that thinks that a woman should work? They should be free to make decisions about their own life. And yet to marry, Pen should lose part of herself instead of asking Colin for understanding??? And when Pen gets blackmailed and Colin shuts her up in Bton's house "It is not up to you to decide what we do". AND ELOISE FOLLOWS COLIN!!!! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT???????? What am I watching??? I was much more upset with Eloise than Colin for that sentence! Her egocentrism and lack of empathy make her a horrible friend (for both Cressida and Penelope). What appalls me is that I see many functionally illiterate that do not get it. Many like Eloise's character. But to me, there is nothing to like about her (of course I love Claudia Jessie but...) I mean that this character has so many flaws that I don't see what to like. And I get that the format is that there will be (hopefully) development and growth once the main lead finds the soulmate but in this season they should have let Eloise grow and develop at least as a friend. And yet she regains her friendship with Penelope after Pen makes amends for her mistakes but Eloise doesn't. So I don't feel this reconciliation was earned at all, at this point they are not anymore at the same level (before both were not good friends to each other).
@@gelsominagaldieri Another example: season 2, the garden party when she told those girls that they are miserable because they listen to their mother's. This girl is in desperate need of a reality check.
She definitely isn't a feminist precisely because "she's not concerned with other women." She doesn't listen to them. She really never listened to Penelope or Cressida. So, I agree. She's one of the boys and decidedly NOT a feminist. But what does that mean for her complicity with the patriarchal system?
I wanted her to be one of the girls so bad!!! It's hard to defend her when she's carrying on like this. Rewatching her scenes in the show actually make me cringe now 😢 because her surface level, self serving type feminism has been bothering me but I couldn't recognise why yet until this season.
Eloise is kinda very spoiled, like this girl doesn't know the hardships of Penelope or Cresida. She has a family that loves her even if she will never marry she will be taken care of by her family. Like you just know she will never get sent away because of her bad rep (unlike Cresida) or have to ever experience the hardships of the Featherington women. I get she is much younger than her book caracter but this girl is around 17 to 19, she should know how to show little bit of pity for Cresida who is forced to marry someone who can be her grandpa, or see what Penelope did was to protect her, because she was stupid enough to make the queen think she is lady Whistledown.
