"The Red Queen": Changing Perspective of Shit Disturbers
The intriguing aspect of this novel comes from the success of its predecessor, The White Queen, which revolves around Elizabeth Woodville who was wife to King Edward IV from the House of York. While the novel encompassed mainly politics, it provided a glimpse of Elizabeth's happy home life through the protagonist's viewpoint - her husband loved her, she had many children and was lucky enough to be near them as they aged from childhood to adulthood.
The Red Queen, in contrast, is the story of Margret Beaufort who had a much more obstacles in her way than Elizabeth. She lived the life of the average noblewoman of her time which included an arranged engagement at a young age then married a few years later, her sole purpose being to birth a son for the House of Lancaster, even if it meant death.
The Red Queen, in contrast, is the story of Margret Beaufort who had a much more obstacles in her way than Elizabeth. She lived the life of the average noblewoman of her time which included an arranged engagement at a young age then married a few years later, her sole purpose being to birth a son for the House of Lancaster, even if it meant death.
This is where the notable differences begin between the two women. It's also at this point I learned to be a little bit more tolerant of those people who are constantly stirring trouble in the personal lives of others. In my experience, I have come across more women than men who interfere in the business of others. Many say that it's simply a trait of women but that's false - many men aren't glide off of the accusations of women and get away with being catty.
I'm sure you know the type: the ones who love gossip to an unfathomable level, spread rumours, create tension among others, bad mouth others who are gaining, etc. And it's so incredibly annoying! Many people want to be left alone to their own devices, especially when not harming anyone emotionally or physically, and I'm one of them.
After finishing The Red Queen, I came to the realization of how empty the usual defense against the gossips sounded. Many say it in spite but don't truly comprehend how right they are about gossips being unhappy and underestimated individuals. Let's take a look at Margret's life once again.
As mentioned before, Margret Beaufort didn't have the luck of being surrounded by those who loved her. Her journey began with the terrible relationship with her mother, who was more concerned about birthing an heir than the happiness of her daughter.
After being rejected by her mother, Margret then gave herself to God to receive some sort of importance. She twisted many events to suit her ambitions, saying God was always on the side of Lancaster. As the book went on, we see that her life wasn't given any particular importance since so she needed to give it importance.
She challenged society and limits by encouraging her son, Henry VII to win the throne through battle.
Unfortunately, Margaret fell in love with Jasper Tudor, her brother-in-law but couldn't marry him. Instead, she had to marry Sir Henry Stafford, who treated her well and believed in peace, then later to Thomas Stanley, who she married for convenience's sake. There wasn't any love between them and their ambition drove their union.
As we near the end, the hatred Margaret had for Elizabeth Woodville was seen much more frequently. The hate stemmed from the clear fact that she was Elizabeth's complete opposite, a woman who had an amazing life albeit the tragedies.
Now, one will notice in olden day politics that even though the Queen of various countries and cultures may not have direct power, she maintained significant power in the background. This was because of an absence of social equality and it led to the need of making themselves important. In this case, it was about retaining power within their bloodlines. Of course, this trend varied throughout countries.
Margaret's circumstances haven't disappeared with traditional ways as it's embedded into many societies today. In these groups, women don't have equal rights or a say in the household so they resort to making their lives more worthy any way they can. Again, it's not just women who live in this situation but they are the majority.
I've observed many women within my community and am aware that in the past, they've been beat by their husbands or degraded by other male family members. These women don't find it easy to have a proper social life since their place is solely to run the household in the home. They aren't happy with their lives and they take this unhappiness out on others.
Is it right?
No.
It isn't fair for someone who is unhappy with their life to try to sabotage or hinder another's. But it is going to happen while unhappiness exists. This is why I believe lifestyles need to be chosen otherwise regrets swells to an unmanageable point.
Here is my challenge for you:
Do you know someone who constantly brings you down due to satisfaction or unhappiness?
Then it's time to ignore their negativity. Until the day comes where everyone in the world is allowed/permitted/able to do what they like, such as engage in hobbies, clubs, charities, volunteer work, etc., people will always be unhappy. Someone can have a shitty job but still be happy because of their home life.
But too many people are unlucky.
If you are physically capable of leaving your home to take a walk, have good friends that enjoy an outing with you, etc. then engage in it. Only you can be the change you want to see and be. Let those weak allegations about you be same as if someone looks into the lives of the gossips, much won't be seen.
Be the emotionally stronger individual.