Question

Critically analyse Mabel’s weak economic conditions in the past as one of the reasons that led her to choose the old-fashioned dress.

Answer 1

Mabel came from a family of ten that never had enough money. As a child who did not have much in life, Mabel must have looked at the pretty women in the Paris fashion book and she must have mused dressing like them someday when she could afford that kind of money. Children are very impressionable and the glamorous pictures must have been imprinted in Mabel’s mind. In contrast to her family’s poor condition, the models might have looked like the epitome of beauty and elegance. In her desire to be elegant like those women in the fashion book, Mabel must have decided upon the old-fashioned dress. Another reason could have been Mabel’s current financial condition. We can see that Mabel does think about choosing a fashionable dress, but she knows that it cost her at least “thirty guineas”. Knowing well enough that she won’t be able to afford that kind of money, Mabel must have decided to go with the “old is gold” approach.