People saying that Eloise only talks and talks and never actually does anything with her white, privileged feminism.
First of all, if Eloise were to actually do something, considering she’s already hated in such an exaggerated way, people would immediately start saying that she should keep quiet, know her place, and that she’s ruining her family’s name.
Because let’s remember that in season two, Eloise did try to do something: she tried to educate herself and to understand. And because of a certain redheaded writer, she couldn’t continue. Throughout that time, while she was trying to learn and understand, you all were complaining that she was ruining her family, that she was stupid, that she wasn’t doing things the right way. Then, when she tries to adapt without giving up her beliefs, you say she only talks and does nothing.
Yes, I will always be the first to admit that Eloise is, in fact, a white, privileged feminist. I’m never going to deny it because it’s true.
But how do you think feminism started? Do you really think it was poor working-class women who started it? No. It was white, privileged women in positions like Eloise’s who began the feminist movement, because poor and working-class women were busy working just to put food on the table. They didn’t have the time or the space to question the system.
Women in Eloise’s position were the first to question things, to write, and to fight. But they didn’t start as fully formed revolutionaries: they started like Eloise, as misunderstood women, pushed aside, mocked, because questioning a woman’s role was something that brought punishment and ridicule.
Which brings us to the obvious: Eloise is in a social position where, if she were to say, do, or even think something radical and it became public, it wouldn’t just affect her. It wouldn’t only be a problem for Eloise, but also for her family. She has three siblings who are not yet married. Let’s say Benedict wouldn’t be as affected as Hyacinth and Gregory, but the mere fact that Eloise is known to have “radical” ideas would close doors for Hyacinth and Gregory: it would limit their chances of good marriages, invitations to balls, and access to important social circles. So no, Eloise can’t do much in her position without putting her family at risk. And isn’t that exactly what people keep accusing her of—not caring about her family’s reputation?
It’s the same reason why, for example, Benedict can’t just marry Sophie without consequences: the family’s reputation would suffer, and the “purity” and dignity of the Bridgerton family would be seen as compromised. That would make Eloise’s, Hyacinth’s, and Gregory’s situation even worse—especially for the girls—because let’s remember that, at that time, the main way for a woman to survive socially and economically was through a good marriage. Gregory could at least hope for a respectable job in the future, but that wasn’t an option for Eloise and Hyacinth.
And to anyone who says that Penelope “did something,” I swear I want to smack them on the head. First of all, let’s remember that Penelope ran a gossip sheet, not a radical political movement. Second, she did it in complete anonymity. Her entire arc is about how she feels more seen when she’s anonymous and how no one can ever find out—there’s a reason she hid it from Colin before marrying him. So no, Penelope didn’t really “do” anything publicly. Lady Whistledown did. Yes, Penelope was behind LW, but when you don’t put your face to it, it’s not the same thing.
And even putting aside the fact that Penelope dragged half of the Ton, including the queen—if we don’t focus on that part—what Penelope did wasn’t actually dangerous in a political sense. She mostly reported gossip that happened in public places (not always, and she didn’t always verify it, but let’s not get into that now). She wasn’t promoting radical ideas or going against the system itself. Penelope wasn’t at risk of being considered a traitor or a dangerous figure for having radical beliefs. Eloise was.
So yes: talking, complaining, and voicing her opinions was pretty much the only thing Eloise could safely do without putting herself and her family in danger. Because you all love to pull the “it was historically accurate” card to defend Anthony, Benedict, Colin, or Penelope, but then you apply a very modern mindset when judging Eloise. That’s hypocritical. Why not judge all the characters by the same standard?
On top of that, people talk about how Hyacinth “called out” Eloise because Eloise was supposedly mean and inconsiderate to her sister. Sure, Eloise shouldn’t have been rude or harsh with her sister—that wasn’t fair. But do you know what else isn’t fair? Demanding that Eloise always understand and respect other women and their choices, while never offering her the same understanding in return.
And honestly, I understand Eloise. She’s incredibly frustrated. Her mother supposedly understood that she shouldn’t pressure her, promised to go at Eloise’s pace and to accept her. Then, one season later, she tells her it’s not enough to just form friendships with women and parades her in front of men, forcing her to smile and flirt, as if Violet were showing off livestock. And if Eloise doesn’t want to be paraded around like cattle, then she’s forced to spend time with her 14-year-old sister and attend etiquette lessons she already went through when she was younger—and that she has been very vocal about hating—while also having to listen to Hyacinth chatter endlessly about the very topic Eloise despises and wants to avoid: marriage. And then she gets attacked by her sister for not celebrating her desire to marry and become the “proper lady” that high society demands Eloise herself to be.
Yes, Eloise could have chosen a better attitude at times. But people also weren’t giving her any space not to be frustrated. And Hyacinth is also behaving in a very childish, entitled way—like when she got mad at Eloise for taking her out of a ball she was literally too young to attend.
And I get Hyacinth too. She’s frustrated and lonely: all her older siblings are married, her playmate Gregory is away at school, and the only sister she has left doesn’t care about the same things she does. So she takes that frustration out on Eloise. But why is Hyacinth allowed to dump her frustration onto Eloise and be cruel to her, while Eloise is expected to endure it and still be endlessly considerate?
Why is it always Eloise who has to be understanding and empathetic toward everyone else, while no one extends her the same grace? She’s expected to accept everyone’s cruel words, but the moment she talks back, she’s labeled selfish, cruel, and childish. At this point, it feels less like genuine criticism and more like people just wanting an excuse to hate her.