Demi-Monde, or half-world, was a term used throughout the Victorian ages when referring to women, who no longer abided by the rules as respectable people. People of the half-world were known to wear bright clothing, flamboyant make-up and hairdos, and all things considered disrespectful amongst the common people. Most individuals of the Victorian era were forced to turn to the disgraces of the Demi-Monde, mainly those of the lower class, due to their lack of opportunities. Unfortunately, those apart from the Demi-Monde thought differently of these creatures of the underworld. Women like Elizabeth Lynn Linton, an infamous female journalist and critic, thought women of the half-world to be mere followers of others who opposed of societal rules. In one of her most well-known works “The Girl of the Period” (1868) she stated, “It is this envy of the pleasures, and indifference to the sins, of these women in the Demi-Monde which is doing such infinite mischief to the modern girl.” In some cases her writings were indeed factual, based on the limitations of women throughout her time; however, what Linton hadn’t considered was the overall origin behind the Demi-Monde.
Whether a woman of nobility or of the lowest prominence, they were of no importance behind the authoritative figures of men. Women lacked a mind of their own; they held no say in any matter. They lacked the social freedom to be human. Women were simple props for men. If they were incapable of being married off to wealthy partners, more than likely they turned to prostitution as a solution for money which was infamous during the Victorian era because of the lack of job offerings. Fortunately, prostitutions were much more liberal than women of other classes which was indeed something to be envious of. The attraction did not lie in the clothing itself or the pleasures of sins; the liberation amongst these individuals was much longed for. The common women admired these talked-about creatures for their carelessness towards society’s formation of the “respectable” human-being. This admiration was the infinite mischief to the modern girl. Man had constructed the master plan of shielding one another from the so-called sins of the world that in doing so they provoked this need for deliverance.
No one ever intends to ruin their own reputation, at least not purposely. There is always an underlying scheme of things that lead to its ruin. In this modern era the Demi-Monde still exists, although not in the same sense necessarily. Women of the lower class continuously lack the opportunities and the motivation to come out of it; however, these very women gain a certain prosperity that others of higher classes desire subconsciously. Fortunately, women have become more liberated in rights; however, many may argue that this liberation is in fact the cause of increase in all other sinful or uncommon actions. In the end, the world has altered accordingly. For all that women have gained so much has been lost along the way. As the world continues to strip them of the same titles that are given to men, women will continuously be bound to the Demi-Monde for many eras to come.
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