WOMAN’S ALLEGED INCAPACITY

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1508, 24 January 1901, Page 61

WOMAN’S ALLEGED INCAPACITY

A chance conversation the other day* aw til a masculine critic revealed the astounding fact that there still are those who hold the general incapacity of avomen in most departments of life (writes Annie S. Tweedie in the “Lady”). The conquering of "ologies seems to have no over-awing effect, and men go on taking Plato’s Avord for it in judging of avomen, looking upon them as second-hand copies, weak and Ava,shed-out editions of themselves. Dare it he suggested that, headed by that great philosopher, the other sex had made a mistake, and that if woman is different- in degree she is still more .so in kind ? We all know lioav Tennyson compares her ideally with man, as "perfect music set to noble Avords.” But, to put it- less ideally, since the days when the manly creature cnly deigned to carry* his arms and rode on the horse, while his wife followed on foot, in the double capacity of perambulator for the family and pantechnicon vau for the household furniture ; Avlien she did all the hard, uninteresting Avork, Avhile he only hunted and slept, there has been sufficient diversity in the human couple’s outlook on life to account for and necessitate, a considerable difference in their characters to-day. Naturally, if in prehistoric times avoma.n had been able to hit man over the head and take by fores what he refused to giA*e, the history of*the human race would have been far other. But this physical inequality had to be taken into account, and Avoman found herself obliged to sit down and wait till man contrived to get himself a little civilised, a proceeding surely very analogous to allowing a pig to go to market by himself. We may 7 be pretty sure that the ground has not been so quickly covered as if piggy* had known there was a good, stout stick travelling behind him. One quite admits that Avoman has been culpably'- negligent, in contenting herself with taking such a negative part. She might nave tried to apply a little more; acti\*e suasion to hurry 7 up man and liis civilisation, which so far Eas occupied a disgraceful period of years, only to have reached his present stage. Be that as it may, he has at length, arrived somewhat, and woman has awakened to her responsibilities, and Avho shall predict the result when her small shoulder comes in contact with the wheel ? In reading weird metaphysical books, one constantly comes to such luminous sentences as, “A thing either has a quality or it has not got it,” a statement Avhich at first glance one is sorely tempted to endorse, and yet the present writer feels a little anxiety to know whether a concession that woman is not capable would: land her under the legal necessity of allowing she is incapable. The first point might gladly* he granted, while nothing short of a vehement denial can possibly 7 be accorded to the second. If a woman is not capable at present, she at least is very busy becoming so. Keeping in mind the cruel handicapping of Avoman through the ages. Vnv is it also that she should: have shown such poAvers of imagination ? Hoav in all times and places has she kept such idealism with regard to life? W here has she learned such true and deep insight into the heart of things? Surely Plato can never liave done any magisterial duties, or he Avould have been struck by the extraordinary Avay in

she will ahvays add that he is the best husband that ever stepped this earth when lie is not- drunk or beating her. Who has taught her to look beneath the phenomenally brutal illusion, and recognise the'reality 7 cf the very latent good in her helpmate’s nature? It seems a deep and radical difference between the lavo natures, with Avliich class has nothing to do. Will not the highest lady* in the land make you feel just as bitterly* the imprudence of your act, should you in any unguarded moment agree with her on the shortcomings of her husband, as the most unfortunate Avife in the Fast End ? The fact is Ave Avoman all feel quite capable of finding fault Avith our husbands without help from anyone else. It is interesting and curious to note the utter lack of this insight that man exhibits when he is the accuser and the Avife is the culprit. And iioaa* Avoman s da a* is dawning. Is, th ere not something deeply suggestive in the fact that she has been unable till noAv to come to the fuller use of her powers; as though her Avork ivas not to folloAV feebly 7 where, man has trod, hut- rather that she has, on the foundations Avhich he has laid, to crown and complete the edifice ci human achievement.