Have you been watching Bridgerton?

By Fairport Wealth

A Man is Not a Plan

The hit Netflix series Bridgerton is set in 1813 England, the same year Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was published. The first line of Austen’s classic novel, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife” suggests the pressure women faced to marry (well) during the Regency period. And both stories revolve around a woman’s need, at that time, to obtain a good match for financial security.

If you’ve been binge-watching Bridgerton, you have observed that the women of marrying age have varying options, and each has her own philosophy regarding her lot in life. We can learn valuable life lessons, and appreciate how times have changed, by understanding how each Bridgerton female confronts her situation.

Daphne Bridgerton, the oldest daughter of the widowed Lady Violet Bridgerton, decides that if you can’t beat them, you may as well join them. Although frustrated by the notion that her future depends upon who she marries, Daphne rolls with the punches and debuts to the Queen in the best way possible, positioning herself for the most desirable match. However, she ultimately turns down a higher-ranking Prince for the Duke she loves.

Opera singer, Siena Rosso prefers a partner who doesn’t want to change her. Since she is not a member of the peerage class, Siena knows she will not be accepted by Viscount Anthony Bridgerton’s family and ultimately turns him down for someone in a lower class who can accept her for who she is.

Miss Marina Thompson, distant cousin of the Featheringtons, chooses security. Since she is unmarried, with child, and confronting the prospect of being ‘ruined,’ Marina attempts to quickly marry Colin Bridgerton (Lady Bridgerton’s third son). When that does not come to fruition, she accepts the hand of her dead soldier’s brother, Sir Phillip, to avoid being shamed.

Cressida Cowper, another debutante and Daphne’s nemesis, will destroy anyone who gets in her way. With her eye on the Prince who is wooing Daphne, Cressida informs Daphne that she saw her in the garden with Simon, unchaperoned, and is willing to sabotage Daphne’s prospects for the marriage market by letting everyone know.

Lady Whistledown prefers to write about the debut season. Although she realizes that her future hinges on finding the right match, Lady Whistledown (whose secret identity is revealed at the end of Season 1) takes control of everyone’s future by creating a gossip column that reveals their secrets.

Eloise Bridgerton wants no part of the marriage market. As Daphne’s younger sister, Eloise knows she is next in line once Daphne finds her match. She declares that she would much rather study and enjoy a different path in life, and she would have greatly benefited from a relationship with Luma Wealth!

Bridgerton is a period drama about women searching for a man throughout ‘the season’; however, these days, a man is not the best financial plan. Celebrate Valentine’s Day by empowering your future. Register for our upcoming virtual Financial Fitness event to learn more about wealth planning and invite your sisters and your friends to join you!