Mega Victorian Meta part 1

[dicreasy]

Or why I set my legacy during the years 1837-1901.

(Alright strictly speaking that should be 1865-1901 since I'm not referencing the earlier part of the period, but hey).

The secret about me, my legacy and PB this week over at

Comments

[orikes13]

This was a really interesting read, Di. I've always found the Victorian era fascinating, both in the way it's romanticized and the actual tumultuous way things changed so quickly. I've always wondered which saw more change, the 19th century or the 20th century. I could see arguments for both, but certainly most of what happened in the last 109 years couldn't have happened without the groundwork in the previous century.

I love the analysis of attitudes towards sex as well. I know being American I've always been astounded at the hypocritical attitudes that we have towards sex at times (especially the 'bad influence' of sex versus violence). Hearing you talk about the Victorian period and the attitudes the middle class developed there sounds very similar to some of the attitudes that existed over here.

Stanley is a love and I enjoy how you write him. I can see people being upset with the way he's portrayed because they see the surface double standard, but I think they're missing the more subtle nuances of Stanley's character.

Honestly, I'd say go for it with an heir who dallies and has an illegitimate child, but I'm probably not the best person to ask since I don't pay any attention to points and such. I just go for what's best for the story.

[dicreasy]

Thanks. :D I agree, it's hard to know which century saw more change, but the changes in the 20th century were possible only because of the innovations of the 19th.

The Victorians attitude towards sex is one of the most fascinating attitudes they held, and really does have far reaching consequences, on both sides of the Atlantic it seems.

When I was in NYC, I visited the Merchant House museum and was amazed at how similar the daily lives of rich middle class Americans were to their British counterparts. Even the way in which visiting acquaintances was carried out was the same.

Stanley is one of my favourite sims ever, and I love how his character has grown as I've played and written him. I agree that there are readers who miss the subtlety in his character. I probably shouldn't say this, but there is one who I think has missed not only the extra layers of Stanley, but also a couple of other of my characters too.

I've still got this mad idea of trying to tally up points at some point. lol.

[orikes13]

I remember back in middle school or early high school, a teacher brought in a night gown that had belonged to her great great grandmother from before 1900. It was meant to be worn on a wedding night to consummate the marriage. It basically covered every part of the body except the one part the man needed access to and it had a hood to cover the face. It was really rather disturbing.

But yeah, I think our north eastern region had very similar culture to the Brits during that time period. Obviously the mid-west and west were very different and depending on when you're talking about, the south was probably dealing with reconstruction after the Civil War.

You've got me all curious now. I have found that some people don't really get subtlety. Marina and I were talking last night about how there's this dichotomy between what people enjoy in a story and how they react to what's happening to the characters. "OH MY GOD HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO IAN!?!? Your stories are so awesome, how do you do it?" I have a feeling that the very things that make some of your characters compelling and nuanced are the same things that some people just won't get on a conscious level.

Ultimately, it comes down to... <3 Stanley! Literally and figuratively in my simself's case. ;)

[dicreasy]

That nightgown does sound disturbing. I've never heard of anything like it. It really does take the shame of humans being sexual creatures to a ridiculous level, and shows how interesting these people were and how much they make you think.

Now see this is making me want to start researching America during the same era, to find out how different parts of your country were,a nd the attitudes that prevailed.

This person has said a couple of things about my characters that makes me wonder if they've fully digested what the characters say and how they act I must admit. They've also made me doubt my abilities, but then everyone else seems to get them so...

*nods* Oh absolutely. There really does seem to be that dichotomy there, it makes reading some comments pretty interesting.

[orikes13]

Much of the west was still pretty rough and unsettled. Oklahoma wasn't even made a state until 1907. There's a very different feel between the North East, the South East, the mid-west, the west, and the Pacific Coast. I find it all pretty fascinating how such a vast stretch of land became one country.

I mean, even just using movies as a reference, you have 'The Age of Innocence' set in 1870's NY, happening during the same time period romanticized in so many Westerns. Two very different worlds in what amounts to the same country.

I guess it all comes down to the fact that the Victorian period is fascinating, hands down. :)