THE PARADISE OF BACHELORS AND THE TARTARUS OF MAIDS
Works of literature, while presenting fictional
sketches of life, often reflect the authors’
outlooks on the socio- political and cultural
issues of the time portrayed. Hence they assume
significance as a reference piece to understand
the socio-cultural norms and political perspectives
of the society during the period. Many works of
literature are put to analysis by researchers
in humanities and law disciplines to understand
the socio- political and legal issues as well
as legalities of the time represented in the work
and also to understand the development of the
discipline of law and humanities. Needless to
say, such studies enable a better understanding
and appreciation of both literature as well as
law. The paper presents a critical review of Herman
Melville’s twin story “The Paradise
of Bachelors” and “The Tartarus of
Maids”, analyzing the legal questions addressed
by the author as well as the legalities of the
time.
The writings of Herman Melville, one of the most important American writers in the nineteenth century and a staunch advocate of social justice and reform, present strong social criticisms beneath the seemingly intriguing literary narrative. Slavery, issues related to class and gender, socio-economic problems arising from industrialization in the 19th century America are the common themes of Melville’s work and as suggested, his stories serve as valuable pointers to the socio-political and legal framework of the society. Melville’s twin story, “The Paradise of Bachelors” and “The Tartarus of Maids,” essentially looks at class and gender relations in the 19th century American society under the grips of industrialization.
As the name suggests “The Paradise of Bachelors” and “The Tartarus of Maids,” present Melville’s experiences with two distinct groups of people with in the industrialized system -- bachelors of the Temple-Bar of London and the mill girls of New England. The bachelors’ paradise –a city by itself -- is described as a heavenly retreat an oasis separated from the “care-worn world,” [Melville, 1989; p. 261] – where as the maids abode --Devil's Dungeon paper-mill-- is presented as a dark and hellish underworld located at Woedolor Mountain, “among bleak hills” [Melville, 1989; p.271] Melville’s juxtaposition of the self-indulgent and hedonistic life of the bachelor lawyers against the unending suffering and the unceasing suffering of the factory maids working to the inevitable negative consequences of the socio-political system of industrialization and capitalism – creation and separation of socio-economic class, the oppression of the worker class by the capitalist forces.
Though the sketches does not directly address any legal issues of the time, the account of the factory maids points to certain crucial legal issues – the distribution of wealth and power in an industrialized society, the violation of fundamental human rights – the factory did not employ married women and the maids had to work twelve hours a day excepting a few holidays etc. [Melville, 1989] By presenting the interrelationship between the owners of the means of production represented by the bachelors and the workers who are the maids, Melville points to crucial questions of democracy, indeed the violation of democratic principles, in a capitalist society.
The issues that are raised by Melville, a majority of them even plaguing the modern societies, can be addressed only by effective legislation – by laws that would help in enforcing the principles of justice and equality. However by portraying the owners of the means of production as the complacent and self-indulgent bachelor lawyers themselves, Melville implies the subjugation of law to the wealthy capitalist forces, and the complacency of law to the crucial issues of equity and justice. |