After reading this week’s passages, I immediately noticed connections between Joseph Addison’s The Royal Exchange and David Hume’s essay On Commerce. Both texts emphasize the possible benefits foreign trade can have on domestic pleasures and life, while David Hume also points out nations that prosper economically with less international business, such as China. Hume argues… Continue reading Nicholas Cai – Commerce
Posts
Jessica Lin- Fantomina
One of the most notable aspects of Fantomina is its exploration into female agency. She goes through these various identities to navigate social restrictions and gain control over her romantic relationships. This goes around the expectations of women in the 18th century. I found it interesting how the idea of virtue connects back to one’s… Continue reading Jessica Lin- Fantomina
Heaven Fantomina
The story of Fantomina is one I’ve read before. I remembered enjoying it when I first read it and I still enjoyed it the second time around. I believe that the dynamic between Fantomina and Beauplaisir is interesting. I’ve always gravitated toward stories where women outwit and best a man especially a man with so… Continue reading Heaven Fantomina
Mamadou T.- Print Culture
What I found valuable while reading “The Spectator” is how the character “Mr. Spectator” is introduced. Mr. Spectator seemingly enough is a watcher/represents us readers as he is viewed as an observant and non-judgmental through the passage. I also found it interesting on how women roles were perceived because upon reading page 468 and beyond,… Continue reading Mamadou T.- Print Culture
Rebecca Fantomina
This well known text is undeniably valuable as a unique canonical piece of its time, especially in plot and in theme. It is interesting to see how the feminist aspect directly influences the overall interpretation of the story for the reader. Further, examining the portrayal of a main character who is a woman existing as… Continue reading Rebecca Fantomina
Gisela -Fantomina
After reading Eliza Haywood’s Fantomina, I found it interesting how Fantomina could pull off disguising herself without being discovered by Beauplaisir. What struck me the most is how, in the end, Fantomina is the one who is being disregarded by society and her mother when she is forced to come public after her pregnancy with… Continue reading Gisela -Fantomina
Rania- Fantomina
Fantomina is more than just a story of Romance and deception, it’s a critique of how women’s roles were confined by societal expectations, forcing them to navigate the world where values tied them to purity. The protagonist’s decision to change herself repeatedly to maintain Beauplaisir’s attention highlights a central truth about gender dynamics; men were… Continue reading Rania- Fantomina
Yasmine (Fantomina)
After reading “Fantomina” By Eliza Haywood, only one word comes to mind, genius. Who knew that the 18th-century version of “reinventing yourself” involved a game of disguise—prostitute, maid, widow, masked noblewoman just to keep one man interested, who is not even a 10. Rather than resigning herself to Beauplaisir’s interest, she took control of the… Continue reading Yasmine (Fantomina)
EL – (Fantomina)
Week 4 (2/14) – Blog Post Fantomina was an overall great read. It had a great story, a great plot, and a decent conclusion. There were many notions in the material that were notable to me, but one thing that stood out to me the author’s writing detailing the dynamics of Fantomina and Beauplaisir. She… Continue reading EL – (Fantomina)
(Nicholas Cai) – Fantomina
Reading Fantomina elicited both a humorous and saddening reaction out of me at the same time. While Beauplaisir being continuously fooled by the Lady’s many disguises and alternate personas was amusing, the idea of her having to put up so many facades just to capture his affections indicates Beauplaisir’s lack of fidelity and commitment. This… Continue reading (Nicholas Cai) – Fantomina
