Child marriage has been a longstanding practice in many cultures throughout history, and its effects have been captured in various forms of literature. From early European novels to works set in the distant East, the theme of young girls being married off under coercion or societal pressure has been a recurring motif in classic literature. These depictions, while often reflective of the norms of their times, offer valuable lessons for contemporary readers about the dangers and injustices of child marriage. Examining how child marriage is portrayed in classic literature allows us to see how attitudes have evolved, and it sheds light on the social and cultural conditions that have perpetuated this practice for centuries.
This article will explore several prominent depictions of child marriage in classic literature, drawing lessons from the past that resonate with modern efforts to eradicate this harmful tradition.
Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield (1850)
In Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield, we encounter the tragic story of Little Em’ly, a young woman who is seduced and abandoned by an older man, a narrative that touches on themes of child exploitation and vulnerability. While Em’ly’s story does not involve a formal marriage, it reflects a broader societal concern about the treatment of young girls and their lack of agency in matters of love and relationships.
However, a clearer depiction of child marriage can be seen in the subplot of David Copperfield’s marriage to Dora Spenlow, a character who embodies the ideal of youthful beauty and innocence. Although Dora is of legal marriageable age, her immaturity and inability to cope with the realities of marriage parallel the challenges faced by young girls forced into child marriage. Dora’s character represents the consequences of entering a union too early her inability to manage a household and her fragile emotional state lead to her early death, illustrating the detrimental effects of marrying too young. Dickens, through this portrayal, implicitly criticizes the societal norms that place such burdens on young women.
David Copperfield reflects the Victorian-era tensions around marriage and the roles of women. Through Dora’s story, Dickens comments on the inappropriateness of expecting young, inexperienced girls to fulfill the complex duties of a wife, drawing a parallel to the struggles of child brides who are thrust into adulthood prematurely.
Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles (1891)
In Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy delves into Tess’s life, a young woman caught in the trap of a patriarchal society that strips her of agency and innocence. While Tess is not formally married as a child, her early seduction by Alec d’Urberville under circumstances she cannot control mirrors the lack of choice faced by many child brides.
Hardy’s novel challenges the morality and double standards of Victorian society, which judged Tess harshly for her “fall” while excusing the behavior of Alec, the man who wronged her. Tess’s experience highlights the broader issue of young women being exploited or pressured into relationships with men who hold power over them whether through wealth, status, or societal expectations. Hardy uses Tess’s tragic fate to question the justice of such a society, where young girls like Tess are judged for circumstances they cannot control.
The lessons from Tess of the d’Urbervilles resonate with the plight of child brides, who often find themselves bound by circumstances beyond their control, whether due to poverty, cultural pressure, or family arrangements. Tess’s story emphasizes the need for a society that values women’s autonomy and recognizes the importance of choice in matters of marriage and relationships.
Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre (1847)
Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre may not focus on child marriage, but it offers a subtle critique of the power dynamics within marriage that parallel the struggles of child brides. The protagonist, Jane, grows up in a world where her future is largely determined by men whether it’s her abusive aunt, her domineering schoolmaster, or her love interest, Mr. Rochester.
Jane’s determination to maintain her autonomy, even when tempted by a socially advantageous marriage to Rochester, contrasts sharply with the fate of many girls in literature (and in real life) who have little choice over whom they marry. Brontë’s portrayal of Jane as a strong-willed, independent woman who refuses to enter into a marriage that compromises her self-respect serves as a counterpoint to the oppressive marriages that many child brides face.
Jane Eyre teaches readers that marriage should be a union based on equality, respect, and choice ideals that child brides are often denied. Jane’s refusal to become subservient within her marriage to Rochester until they are equals reflects a powerful lesson about the importance of female agency. This lesson is particularly relevant in the context of child marriage, where girls are often denied any say in their future.
Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina (1877)
In Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, the secondary story of Kitty and Levin provides a nuanced portrayal of marriage and courtship. Kitty, a young girl coming of age in Russian society, faces immense pressure to marry early, with suitors presenting themselves as the ultimate path to social success. Though Kitty eventually marries Levin out of love and choice, her initial experiences highlight the societal expectations placed on young girls to marry before they have had a chance to develop their own identities.
Tolstoy uses Kitty’s storyline to reflect on the emotional toll of these pressures, contrasting her experience with Anna’s more tumultuous affair. While Kitty eventually finds happiness, her journey underscores the challenges that young girls face when marriage is imposed on them as a societal expectation rather than a personal decision.
Tolstoy’s depiction of Kitty’s near-tragic encounter with early marriage offers a critical lesson for contemporary readers: that marriage, especially for young women, should not be an obligation imposed by society but a choice made with maturity and understanding.
Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary (1857)
In Madame Bovary, Gustave Flaubert tells the story of Emma Bovary, a young woman who enters marriage with romanticized expectations, only to find herself disillusioned by the realities of life. Emma’s marriage to Charles Bovary, though not technically a case of child marriage, reflects the limited options available to young women in 19th-century France. Emma’s naïveté and lack of preparation for marriage mirror the predicament of many child brides, who are thrust into adult roles before they are emotionally or intellectually ready.
Emma’s disillusionment with marriage and her subsequent attempts to escape it through romantic affairs ultimately lead to her downfall. Flaubert’s portrayal of Emma’s tragic life can be seen as a critique of a society that limits women’s choices and expects them to find fulfillment solely through marriage.
For modern readers, Madame Bovary serves as a reminder of the dangers of placing undue pressure on young girls to marry and of the importance of allowing women to develop their own identities outside of marriage. The novel illustrates the emotional and psychological consequences of entering into marriage without full understanding or readiness, which is often the case for child brides.
Lessons for the Present
The depiction of child marriage or its broader implications in classic literature offers valuable lessons for contemporary readers. Many of these works, while set in specific cultural and historical contexts, reflect universal themes about autonomy, gender roles, and societal pressures that continue to resonate today. Child marriage, like the marriages portrayed in these novels, often involves a lack of choice, a rush into adult responsibilities, and the suppression of young girls’ potential.
The exploration of these themes in classic literature underscores the need for societies to prioritize the well-being and rights of young girls over outdated customs and traditions. Literature has long been a mirror to society, reflecting its flaws and, in many cases, urging reform. The lessons from these works of fiction remind us that the struggles of child brides are not just a relic of the past but a current issue that requires continued advocacy and change.
As we examine these stories, we are called to challenge the systems that perpetuate child marriage and work towards a world where every girl has the right to choose her path free from coercion, oppression, and exploitation. Classic literature not only reveals the deep-seated issues surrounding child marriage but also serves as a tool for reflecting on how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go in the fight for gender equality and the rights of children.
