Okay first of all this post came up in my queue and it echoed my thoughts on the issue so well so now you have to deal with my ramblings XD I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING
Iām writing a Verso x OC fanfic that is set at first in Belle Epoque Paris and I asked myself the exact same questions because the devs give us almost nothing about the āOriginal Worldā (because who knows if even THAT is real you knowā¦). In the Canvas world, it seems that there is a certain equality between men and women, as well as acceptance for alternative lifestyles etc. Itās kind of a nice thought that maybe over the years, the people in the Canvas changed their society to more equal standards.
I still have this headcanon that the original world was pretty close to our Belle Epoque Paris with some caveats. Even in that time, there were exceptional women who clawed their way up to the top with sheer tenacity, and Aline feels to me like exactly that kind of woman. Sheās an incredibly skilled artist with an iron will, and I see her fighting her own way into the position she holds because of her strength of character, which probably borders on absolute stubbornness. This reflects in Clea A LOT I think. The pressure put on her to excel, to create perfection, to be unyielding. Maybe in Alineās mind, women needed to be exceptional to make their way in the world and be respected.
I do think she found a husband in Renoir who sees and treats her as an equal. So while the society outside would expect a traditional line of succession, the Dessendre family feels like they already didnāt fully follow that tradition. Still, there would have been societal pressure from outside for a male heir. Clea and Verso are pretty close in age, which could suggest that the parents tried for a son after a daughter.
Society would definitely see Verso as the male heir and expect him to take over family responsibilities and finances from his father and yes, of course marry. Probably someone high-born, highly intellectual, AND a Paintress herself, judging by Alineās standards. BUT THE CRAZY THING IS thereās not JUST society pressure, there is the artistic pressure on him as well. His mother taught all her children to paint and expected them to carry on the legacy, maybe take over the Council position. Why would anyone give up the power of creating entire worlds?? I donāt think she could fathom any of her children NOT deciding to become Painters.
Why did Verso stop Painting? Why did he never make more than one Canvas? Sureā¦ it could be the simple wish that he just loved music more. But I always felt like there has to be a deeper moral reason for it, which I chose to explore in my story for example. So when he decides not to become a Painter, he basically ruptures his family.
Clea has to become the heir apparent. The Hauler. The one carrying everything. While outwardly, she canāt inherit. Verso still has to serve as the male heir, still has to marry, but heās rebelling against the legacy pressure by refusing to Paint. Ā And poor Alicia stands in both their shadows. I absolutely believe this family was half-broken before the fire.
Also wouldnāt it be a funny thought if, when Aline made Lumiere in the Canvas, she made the society more gender-equal because she had to fight so much for her position? I kind of love that thoughtā¦ I WISH we knew more about Alineās Canvas Clea before Original Clea Painted over her because she would reflect traits Aline wanted her to carry overā¦ Like Canvas Renoirās strongest trait is to protect the family at all costs. What would Canvas Clea be like..?
Yes I have too many thoughts about this family. Iām sorry. I really liked your post.
