Identity and the Elusive Nature of Truth
The themes of identity and truth take center stage in The Fraud. Smith delves into the intricacies of identity through her characters, specifically emphasizing Eliza Touchet, William Ainsworth, and Andrew Bogle. It is essential to analyze her characterization to gain a deeper understanding of how these themes are explored.
Eliza's sense of self appears certain, yet she grapples with uncertainty beneath the surface. On the one hand, she embodies intelligence, pragmatism, and keen observational skills, effortlessly deciphering people and her surroundings. Her confidence extends to her dominant nature and her understanding of her sexuality. While she respects the concept of faith, she hesitates to fully embrace religious beliefs.
On the flip side, her feelings of love are shrouded in ambiguity. She questions whether her emotions toward William and even Frances, whom she regards as the epitome of goodness, are genuine. Despite her inner turmoil, she often suppresses her true thoughts and assumes a submissive, Catholic facade, even though her inner convictions differ. Paradoxically, she criticizes novelists for their detachment from reality and their delusions, yet she becomes a novelist, harboring a profound love for literature.
Essentially, Smith presents Eliza as someone who plays multiple roles, each layer of her identity revealing a complex and multifaceted character.
William Ainsworth resides in the looming shadow of his former self. While he adamantly believes he is still a great novelist deserving of respect, the reality is that publishers have long lost interest in his recent works. His insistence on crafting elaborate and melodramatic historical fiction makes him believe his writing remains captivating. However, the truth is that his prose has become a subject of mockery, with even Edgar Allan Poe going so far as to ridicule him in a published article. This sharp criticism raises doubts within William about the authenticity of his talents, pushing him to question whether he might be perceived as a fraud.
Andrew Bogle resolutely believes that Arthur Orton is indeed Sir Roger Tichborne, even in the face of court rulings that expose Orton as a fraud. In this context, Smith, through the character of Eliza, ponders the intriguing possibility that someone might genuinely be unaware of their errors and steadfastly believe that their version of the truth is, in fact, the genuine truth.
Did the truth require a theory of truth? …One theory of the truth is that those who tell it betray no anxiety: such a one was Mr. Bogle. But might a person be sincerely false? That is, false and not know it? …Mrs Touchet drew yet another theory of truth from these melancholy reflections: people lie to themselves. People lie to themselves all the time.
Femininity and Gender Roles
As previously mentioned, closely examining the behaviors and emotions exhibited by the central characters allows for a nuanced exploration of the novel's main themes. Eliza Touchet is the primary character through which the themes of femininity and gender roles are explored in depth.
Smith delves into the concept of femininity, portraying Eliza as someone who challenges traditional gender roles with her opinions and mindset. However, despite her intellect and demeanor, she still conforms to the traditional feminine role of housekeeper, caring for William and lacking the courage to confront him directly about his declining significance and less captivating literary style.
Eliza laments that, to the men who hold positions of power in society, women are reduced to mere ideals, and they are quick to defend their concept of womanhood, even if it contradicts the reality of individual women. She envisions a world where gender equality reigns and success is determined solely by one's intelligence. However, when...
(This entire section contains 602 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
she observes how William's literary friends, including Dickens, value his daughters solely for their physical beauty, she realizes that her idealistic thinking is somewhat naive.
Was this what daughters were for? Even the girls themselves seemed only too aware of the conditional basis of their appearance at table, as if they had always known they owed men their beauty and now the time had come to pay that debt in full. The mutuality Mrs Touchet had always believed possible, an idealized table, around which men and women met as equals, employing only their wits—this was revealed to be a hopelessly naive vision. Beauty trumped all other considerations.
Smith portrays Eliza as witty and stubborn, known for her sharp tongue. However, there are times when she chooses to keep her opinions to herself. Eliza understands that freely sharing her challenging views may lead others to perceive her as unladylike, bitter, and opinionated, which was not the expected demeanor for most women of her era. Consequently, she feels pressured to maintain an optimistic facade.
Even Sarah, initially presented as an illiterate woman from a working-class background, reveals layers to her personality. Smith demonstrates that she possesses a strong character and even implies that, given the opportunity, she could have led a different life.
Thus, Smith explores the intricacies of Victorian women's behavior, emphasizing the necessity for women to wear multiple masks in various situations and with different people. She addresses the topic of female public speaking, depicting Eliza as a woman who expresses frustration over the limited opportunities for women to speak publicly. She points out that when women did speak publicly, it was often to make pleas or deliver pious lectures.
Eliza attributes this situation to the prevailing social structure and men like Dickens, who held the belief that women had no rightful place in public speaking engagements:
For it turned out he didn't like the idea of his wife—or any woman—speaking in public:
Personally, we admit that our mind would be disturbed if our own domestic well-spring were to consider it necessary to entrench herself behind a small table ornamented with a water bottle and tumbler, and from that fortified position to hold forth to the public.
Through Eliza's anger, Smith draws parallels between the challenges faced by Victorian women and those encountered by some contemporary women. She raises important questions: How can women become more charismatic and knowledgeable in diverse fields if they have limited opportunities? How can women advance and succeed in a society that predominantly caters to men? These questions highlight the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the obstacles women have historically faced in pursuing their aspirations.
