Women's Roles Then & Now

Women's Roles Then & Now

Setting

The two elderly American women had been frequently smiling with the pleasure of seeing their granddaughters learning to ride a horse, for the past half hour. Their immense involvement kept them so occupied that they never realized each other's presence. Then suddenly the waiter emerged holding a platter with two drinks on, served in a royal manner, addressing the two together….

Waiter: “Drinks ma'am?”

(The two women become aware of each others' presence and exchanged a warm welcoming smile as they held their drinks)

Helen: “I'm sorry; I was so taken up looking at Amanda learning so quickly. It's such a pleasing sight.”

Victoria (Looking at her granddaughter, Emma): “It's perfectly fine. I can relate to it completely. It indeed is such a beautiful sight, looking at your own grandchildren enjoying opportunities that I could not when I was her age.”

Helen: “Oh, so that means we are not much different.”

Victoria: “Probably!”

Helen: “I am not left with a very sharp memory, but I belong to late 17's.”

Victoria (Smiling): “I'm younger! I was born in the early 18's.”

Helen: “You're lucky! Because probably then you did not have to face everything that I did.

Victoria: Why would you say that?”

Helen: “I was only fifteen when my father got me married to a man who had just lost his wife.”

Victoria (Surprised): “Against your will?”

Helen nodded approvingly.

Victoria: “But why?”

Helen: “Money! It was more of a contract... a way of getting his hands on huge sums of money. I never liked him and since then never liked my father too.”

Victoria (Sighs): “How are things now?”

Helen: “He passed away a long time back…. Anyways, what about you? Where's your husband?”

Victoria: “He has been unwell lately so doesn't travel much.”

Helen: “Hmm… So, what's your marriage story?”

Victoria: “Pretty much the same as yours. My father chose what ...