The Shifting Role of Women in the Eighteenth Century: An Analysis of Miss Milner and Matilda in Elizabeth Inchbald's A Simple Story

The present study is concerned with the examination of the eighteenth-century social and gender dynamics through the analysis of Elizabeth Inchbald’s A Simple Story, focusing on the themes of family, patriarchy, and the role of women in society. The thesis begins by providing an overview of the political and cultural shifts of the period, which shaped Inchbald’s work. Then, by analysing the two central female characters of the novel, Miss Milner and Matilda, the study demonstrates the expectations placed on women during this period, particularly regarding their roles within the family structure. Furthermore, the thesis considers the subtle forms of resistance and agency within these female characters and the evolving role of women in society, reflecting the convergence of gender, power, patriarchy and familial obligations in the eighteenth century. Ultimately, the analysis reveals the tensions between tradition and change in the period, as embodied in the differing experiences of Miss Milner and Matilda, illustrating the gradual transformation of female roles and the broader societal shifts of the time.