Theme Of Fantomina By Eliza Haywood

Theme of disguise in Fantomina Throughout literature, we come across many critical perspectives that challenge or relate to what we feel and think. The abundant usage of themes by authors raises complex claims that pushes us to examine such concepts. Fantomina by Eliza Haywood revolves around the reoccurring themes of disguise and dominance. In the story, disguise is a strategy used to expose the prejudice against the female gender in the given male dominated society. The protagonist’s constant struggle to acquire the equal sexual independence as men is strongly conveyed throughout the story. Eliza Haywood’s introduction of Fantomina to a type of social role she assumes in her society clashes with The Lady’s curiosity

In addition to that, Haywood’s commitment to targeting women’s different social roles, demonstrates the ceaseless sexual exploitation of women. Haywood describes Fantomina by stating, “besides the Alteration which the Change of Dress made in her, she was so admirably skill’d in the Art of feigning, that she had the Power of putting on almost what Face she pleas’d, and knew so exactly how to form the Behavior to the Character she represented.” (11). The author is explaining how Fantomina is a talented actress who can assume any role to get the attention of Beauplaisir for temporary sexual pleasures, until he loses interest in her. In the beginning of the story, she assumes the role of a prostitute to gain an insight on sexuality. The attitude towards her shifts when she presents herself as a prostitute, “He address’d her at first with the usual Salutations of her pretended Profession, as, Are you engag’d, Madam?”(10). In this statement, we can see that he addresses her in a bold yet gentle manner, suitable to her dishonorable profession as a prostitute. His attitude toward her slightly changes when she assumes the role of a maid Celia, “he catch’d her by the pretty Leg, which the Shortness of her Petticoat did not in the least oppose; then pulling her gently to him, ask’d her, how long she had been at Service?----How many Sweethearts she had? If she had ever been in Love? And many other such Questions, befitting one of the Degree she appear’d to be:” (8). In here, Beauplaisir represents the epitome of adulation and deception, in his ability to express his wants and needs efficiently to the woman of his “wild” desires. Also, from the quotation we can see the approach that he takes with a maid is more gentle compared with the prostitute, nonetheless overbearing with his