When running for political office, it seems that women are often encouraged to "put on masculinity." This could be for a variety of reasons, but it's most likely primarily due to the fact that many people, women included, still feel that females are not suited to command positions of political authority; they believe women are too sentimental to hold office, cannot make political decisions independent of issues in their personal lives, whatever the case may be. For example, during the 2008 Presidential Campaign, Hillary Clinton chose to wear pant suits when she traveled around politiking, resulting in a more masculine image. Ironically, she was criticized for doing so after she was defeated in the primary election; some political theorists say she might have been able to gain more votes--particularly female votes--had she chosen to emphasize her femininity and her political qualifications simultaneously throughout her campaign. However, on the other hand, Sarah Palin chose to appropriate her femininity when constructing her vice-presidential campaign, not only by wearing suit skirts and designer clothes, but highlighting her role as a mother with a family as well. (Interestingly enough, both of these women failed to obtain their desired political positions. What's a girl to do? N.B. I'm trying to keep this blog entry at least somewhat politically neutral.)
On the flip side, men are sometimes encouraged to take on more "female" characteristics in their relationships with women. I realize I'm overgeneralizing here, but many women tend to like men that are sentimental and in touch with their feelings; however, men traditionally are not the "sentimental sex." Ironically, for men to satisfy their "masculine" urges, they often need to appeal to their emotional, "feminine" side in an attempt to please women. My, what a tangled web we weave indeed!
While Charlotte's parents are a good-natured, good-intentioned couple, certain ways in which they chose to raise their daughter also seem to have played a role in her demise. Charlotte, for the most part, is too trusting of people, as seen with her decision to continually meet Montraville, a man with whom she is only mildly acquainted, under "shady" circumstances. Though she seems to know deep down that she's making the wrong choice, the naive part of her personality never fails to overshadow her apprehensive intuitions. Perhaps if her parents had taught her to be more cautious and suspicious of strangers, she would not have ended up in the predicament she did. (Though this might have proved difficult for her parents, since they seem to possess a pretty rose-colored view of the world themselves.)