Wife or Mistriss

[Ceh]

I am reading a book and the basic theme is that if you are a woman you are either a wife or a mistriss. I wanted to know any thoughts or opinions about this.

[woofgang]

well some people are both and I know some who are neither

[acw]

Safer would be to say you're either a mother or a daughter (or both).  If you (somehow) define wife very broadly then I suppose women could be either THE woman, or the OTHER woman (i.e., the wife or the mistress, but allowing for girlfriends to be classed as wives).   Behind every great man there's a woman telling him what to do - don't forget that! :-)

[graemer]

acw...whaaaaat?

[acw]

Well, all women are daughters - some are also mothers.

 

The only women who are not wives or mistresses are girlfriends and single women.  Therefore to catch more women into the binary option suggestions - "All women are either THE woman (i.e., the wife or girlfriend) or the OTHER woman (i.e., the bit on the side). 

 

My final statement is TRUE TRUE TRUE!

[graemer]

Sorry acw, not being rude but I know women who are neither wives or mistresses

[acw]

Are they single?  I had that covered in my answer.  Surely women are either:

• Married
• With a partner
• Single (including divorced, widowed, separated etc)

Please do correct me - I do have my dumb moments!

[graemer]

Sorry I just don't get it. I know several single women who yes are daughters and have never been wives or mistresses or mothers. Why are there only the choices that you are a wife or a mistress? (Or am I having a dumb moment?)

[woofgang]

graemer, that was the premise of the book...

[graemer]

Hi woofgang, i appreciate that but I'm having trouble understanding acw's clarification. Sorry ceh, this isn't helping you much!

[tetherend]

Ceh, the book theme does not make sense.  A woman does not have to be either a wife or a mistress.  Perhaps your book refers to a culture where woman are required to be one or the other,  but not in my culture. 

[natalie_1982]

But what if you are having an affair wih your husband's best mate?

Wife or Mistress?  Mother or daughter?!? Or Woman or the OTHER Woman?

[Didwot]

It's a book. It's fiction. It does not have to be true. It does not even have to be believable, (or even a good read).
I read in Enid Blyton that PC Plod arrested Noddy. That was not true either......

[acw]

Graemer I'm afraid you are having a bit of a moment I think!  :-)  I have said TWICE that of COURSE there are single women.  I just said that by going for "woman or OTHER woman" you widen the binary choices.  However of COURSE there are single women.  (Now I've said it four times! :-p) I put that in my bullet points.  If you're having an affair with a married man and you are married yourself then you're the wife AND the mistress/other woman. 

[Didwot]

Anna, you only have to say it three times for it to be true (Lewis Carrol: The Hunting of the Snark)

[Ceh]

I've read more and the idea is; If you are a woman you are the either the type of woman to be chosen by a man as wife or mistriss. Untill you define yourself not in the eyes of others but as a person who doesn't have to be either. Wafty crap I know.

[graemer]

Thanks ceh get it now. How simple was that!

[acw]

Graemer - does that mean you don't get my point at all?  I did say that single was an option - now FIVE TIMES!  You're making me doubt my ability to explain anything at all!!!!!

[Didwot]

acw. Say it again, and it might be true twice over.
ceh. What is the book called?

[flaming]

Ceh:  That must be a Victorian/Edwardian novel.  I feel I know the quote but can't place who said it.  Is it an Oscar Wilde?

[Ceh]

It's called the Orched and its by Drusilla Modjeska.

Please Note: I have not read all of it yet.