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Proper Lady: Difference between revisions
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What is a Proper Lady? Also known as a "real lady", a "true lady", simply a "lady", or an "angel in the house", she's the perfect lady in the Western (and especially Victorian British) mindset, and in that related to [[Yamato Nadeshiko]], who is the perfect lady in the Japanese mindset. The two ideals share many, many qualities. A Proper Lady is like a mythical creature or an unattainable ideal, often referred to, but rarely seen. Actual Proper Lady characters are largely a [[Forgotten Trope]] by now, and modern ones are likely to be accused of being [[Purity Sue|Purity Sues]]. However, Proper Ladies were widely used in Victorian and earlier literature. [[Jane Austen]] was one of the first authors that introduced such qualities to heroines that did not fit into the strictest view of what is acceptable of a Proper Lady, beginning the slow death of this trope. The last time it was seen alive was around the 1950's.
A Proper Lady is a gentle yet strong being, [[Incorruptible Pure Pureness|incorruptible]] and [[Chaste Hero|pure like the driven snow]] and Madonna-like in her virtues. She sacrifices herself for the better of her family, religion, and country. She is intelligent enough to [[Apron Matron|smoothly run a household]], and [[The Consigliere|wisely spends her husband's money]] for the better of her family, never guilty of negligence or selfish frivolity. She possesses the wit, taste and esprit necessary to be [[Socialite|a star of Society]], and never crosses the border of good taste and civility. She is devoted and loyal, never treacherous or scheming. Her manners are never less than impeccable, and her good will and charity are a beacon to those lucky enough to live around her. She is perfectly groomed, likely [[Beauty Equals Goodness|beautiful]] or at least comely (while the female antagonist will be [[Beauty Is Bad|more beautiful]] and [[Evil Is Sexy|appealing]]). However, [[True Beauty Is On the Inside|more important than her personal looks is her gentle smile]]. Because small size is endearing (and allows for protective embraces from her lucky husband or fiancé), she will probably be [[Fun Size|on the shorter side]]. Chances are that she is an [[English Rose]], especially with [[Raven Hair, Ivory Skin|dark hair and fair skin]]. [[Parasol of Prettiness]] is a typical prop.
A Proper Lady might [[Distressed Damsel|not always be able to defend herself]], but should in most cases possess the strength of mind to not panic, and [[The Determinator|the willpower]] to never give in to any [[Fate Worse Than Death|vile demands]].
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* [[Too Good for This Sinful Earth]] - if and when she dies, this is probably invoked
{{examples
== Anime and manga ==
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* Elizabeth Middleford wants to be this for [[Kissing Cousins|her cousin and fiance]] Ciel in [[Black Butler]]. In fact, Lizzie wants to be this so much for Ciel that in the manga {{spoiler|she hides her [[Little Miss Badass]] side from him, [[No Guy Wants an Amazon|fearing he'd think she was "uncute"]].}}
* Marianne Hamilton, Emma Queensbury, and {{spoiler|Emma's dead older sister aka Francis and Keith's deceased mother}} from [[Ashita no Nadja]].
* [[Axis Powers Hetalia]] has [[Token Mini
* Ed and Al Elric's [[Hot Mom|Hot]] [[Missing Mom]] Trisha from ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist]]''. In all the flashbacks she is sweet and loving to her kids and willing to wait forever for her husband.
** Also, Hughes's wife Gracia and the Armstrongs's little sister Katharine.
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== Live Action TV ==
* Lady Marjorie in ''[[Upstairs, Downstairs]]'' is adored by her husband and servants, and a [[Proper Lady]] through and through. Her saintlikeness is tarnished only by a short affair she was quick to regret. Also gets a tragic death. Of course, after she dies, everything starts to slowly fall to pieces.
*** Hazel Bellamy is a steel core lady, very refined and composed, although not of genteel pedigree. A rare example of a [[Proper Lady]] who has ever actually done working class work.
* Delenn in [[Babylon Five]] might be a partial example of this. Except she is used to command and not inclined to [[Stay in The Kitchen]].
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* The [[Ancient Greece|Ancient Greek]] concept of ''arete'' (virtue/excellence) as applied to women matches all the values of the [[Proper Lady]], making this [[Older Than Feudalism]]. Odysseus' wife Penelope from the ancient epic ''[[The Odyssey (Literature)|The Odyssey]]'' was presented as the [[Ur Example]].
** The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hera Goddess Hera/Juno] is the Greek patron deity of women and marriage, so she's supposed to be this; however, considering [[Clingy Jealous Girl|her]] [[Woman Scorned|behavior]] whenever [[Handsome Lech|Zeus]] cheats on her (and man, [[Really Gets Around|does he cheat on her]]), she comes off as a [[Yandere]] instead. Her sister [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hestia Hestia/Vesta], [[Virgin Power|virgin]] goddess of households and families, seems to be more of the real deal.
** Also Queen [[Alcestis (Theatre)|Alcestis]], the only one brave and loving enough to offer ''her own life'' in exchange for her husband Admetus'. Luckily for her, Admetus happened to have an old friend named [[
== Theater ==
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[[Category:Older Than Feudalism]]
[[Category:Proper Lady]]
[[Category:Trope]][[Category:Pages with comment tags]]
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