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In late December of last year, Netflix released their most recent hit show Bridgerton, which fans are calling a mix between Gossip Girl and Pride and Prejudice. With more than 82 million viewers in just 28 days, fans are quickly trading their bras for corsets and demanding a second season. Based on the original novels by Julia Quinn, this story takes place in upper-class London during the summer of 1813. It follows the life of the young, aristocratic debutante Daphne Bridgerton.
From the outside, Daphne Bridgerton appears as a porcelain doll, following the rules of society graciously, and is even described as ‘flawless’ by the Queen. Although Daphne is eager to please and find her true love’s match, there is more to her than meets the eye. In this Victorian age drama, Daphne’s life is a strict set of rules, obligations, and many watching eyes. As a woman entering London’s high society, her only goal is to secure a suitable, high-ranking husband and create a family. But Daphne doesn’t play by the rules; instead, she makes her own.
Daphne’s Frustration With A Sexist Society
Even though she may not show it to the outside world, Daphne is deeply anxious about finding a suitable match to marry. Daphne’s protective older brother Anthony scares off all possible suitors, leaving Daphne feeling helpless and frankly scared for her future. Throughout the series, Daphne’s older brothers constantly push her feelings to the side and make decisions that they deem best for her future. Over and over again, Daphne tries to confront them, pointing out that it is her life and she can take care of herself. Yet, in this hierarchal male-dominated society, women have little say against a man’s decision.
Daphne’s lack of suitors doesn’t last long; after setting up a ruse with the jaw-dropping Duke, Simon Basset, a pool of men lust for her. The original inspiration for this scandalous ruse was for Daphne to find male suitors and for Simon to be left alone from the aggressive London marriage society. Yet even after Daphne finds herself with bounties of men and even a Prussian Prince to choose from, she rejects them all. This shows that Daphne longs for something deeper — Daphne wants love. It is hard to imagine that love could be a groundbreaking concept for marriage, but in Daphne’s world, love is low on the list of qualifications for a marriage.
Unlike the rest of shallow society, a title and wealth aren’t enough to sway the young debutante. Because of this, Daphne refuses to accept her role in society. Daphne will play the part, she will wear the diamonds and ball gowns, she can curtsy and smile, but she cannot settle giving up her dreams for security. This is what makes part of what makes Daphne remarkable: she isn’t afraid to take a gamble. With such heavy societal expectations on women — gambling love over security is a huge bet to take.
Daphne’s Awakening
Instead of waiting for suitors to come to her, Daphne decides to take a chance and makes a deal with the Duke, Simon. They pretend to be deeply in love and court one another in order to make Daphne more desirable and Simon not available. Early on into Daphne and Simon’s ruse, the two will develop an unlikely friendship that turns into an even more unlikely love. After Simon and Daphne are caught kissing in secret, Daphne and the rest of her family’s reputations are ruined forever, forcing Anthony to challenge Simon for a duel.
In this moment, a shift happens in Daphne’s character where she finally stands up to the men in her life. Risking her life, Daphne forcibly stops the duel and tells the Duke that he will marry her. High members of society clap and nod in approval as Daphne secures the Duke’s hand in marriage, but she feels as lost and confused as ever as marriage looms over her. Everywhere Daphne turns, older women smirk and excitably whisper to her,
“you will enjoy your wedding night.”
To be frank, Daphne has had no sexual education up to this point and has no one to turn to for advice but her maid. In shocking contrast, while Daphne is in the shadows about sex, her brothers and other male characters live exciting sex lives. It seems that sexual pleasure for men is accepted, but for women, it is shunned. In a liberating moment, viewers see Daphne claim the sexuality that was denied to her and explore not only self-pleasure but have a steamy sex life with the Duke. After this sexual liberation, Daphne even confronts her mother and question how she could’ve let Daphne go into marriage with no sexual education.
Halfway through the season, the audience will notice a change in Daphne’s character. Instead of accepting the circumstances around her, Daphne will begin to take charge of her own life. Daphne grows from a timid young girl entering London’s high society to a confident woman, ready to charge the day. She begins to question the things around her, protect the ones she loves, and even set boundaries of respect for herself in her marriage.
Women Sticking Up For Women
Women sticking up for women — a concept we love to see. In this harsh society, one misstep by a woman will lead to judgment, gossip, and condemnation that can last a lifetime. Despite this accepted way of life, Daphne treats other women with kindness, forgiveness, and respect. Even at the beginning of the show, Daphne, unlike the other debutantes, does not see her fellow young peers as competition. Daphne is accepting of the women in her life for who they are.
For example, as others belittle her headstrong younger sister Eloise, Daphne shows nothing but kindness and support towards her. Daphne affirms Eloise’s wishes and tells her sister, “I believe you will make your own way in this world,” thus rejecting society’s harsh expectations of women. Furthermore, Daphne is kind to Eloise, allowing her to leave dreaded balls early and even hide in her library instead of being prodded around like a doll.
Towards the end of the series, the women of the Featherington family are cast into shame as a family scandal reveals itself. Instead of rejecting the women like the rest of society, Daphne not only stands up for them but invites them to balls and publicly forgives them. Women like Cressida Cowper will mock the Featheringtons, and in contrast, Daphne chooses to chastise Cressida for her cruel judgment. Daphne will even stand up for Marina Thompson after Thompson is discovered to be with child before marriage and publicly condemned.
Unlike most, Daphne does not judge the women around her for their “mistakes.” This shows Daphne’s deeper understanding of unfair societal expectations and sympathy towards the women who bear the grunt of these expectations. Her acceptance and friendship with other women showcase the kind and accepting heart of Daphne Bridgerton. As the new Duchess, it would’ve been easy for Daphne to relax into her secured future and blend into the mixes of judgmental, high society. Yet through her struggles of rejection and confusion, Daphne is able to sympathize and live with her heart extended to others.
Unlike the other characters in the show, Daphne lacks the blinding glasses of prejudice. She values good character amongst everything, quick to ignore titles, and judge solely on the goodness of a person’s heart. Close friends with her maid and quick to befriend the poor townsfolk, Daphne represents a progressive and hopeful woman.
Netflix’s Bridgerton Breaks Traditional Standards
Ten years ago, viewers would’ve fallen out of their chairs at the number of sex scenes that occur in Netflix’s first season of Bridgerton. However, Bridgerton seems to represent a new age in modern television. For one of the first times ever, people of color can see themselves in high society roles in period piece film. This is groundbreaking as period piece fans are used to seeing only white actors in the beloved Victorian-era movies and television shows.
Instead of deciding to represent racist standards of the time, the Bridgerton directors decided to cast people of color in the top roles, including a beautiful, black queen. Bridgerton represents diversity, the importance of sexual education, LGBTQ+ acceptance, and all while telling a captivating story with upbeat music and juicy twists.
Bridgerton fans can all breathe a sigh of relief as season two has been confirmed. Netflix has just begun filming the sequel season so that fans can expect the next season to air in late December 2021 or early 2022. While that may seem like a long wait, Netflix is well-known for releasing sequels a year after one another, depending on the popularity and success of the show. Let’s all hope that this second season continues to embody feminism, acceptance, and the daring act to live a life worth telling.
