The Gilded Age: Why Gladys Can't Enter Society (But Bridgerton's Daphne Could)
The Victorian process of young women debuting — or «coming out» — into society plays a vital role in both The Gilded Age and Bridgerton, which leads many to question whyGladys has not yet come out, when Bridgerton begins with Daphne's presentation to society. Examining exactly what it means to come out, as well as each girl's circumstances, sheds more light on why Gladys cannot enter society while Daphne can. This also serves to highlight the different contexts of the different show's settings.
In The Gilded Age, Gladys Russell is frustrated that her mother Bertha will not facilitate her debut, even though Gladys is old enough. Bertha insists that she wants Gladys to come out in a ball at their mansion – which means she will have to wait until her mother is accepted enough into old money society to be able to fill a ballroom with guests. In contrast, Daphne is presented at court to the Queen, which proves The Gilded Age season 1's inciting incident.
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Bridgerton and The Gilded Age take place around seventy years apart from each other, but many debutante traditions changed very little in that time. However, differences between Daphne and Gladys's social standing ultimately affect the way each is brought out. This, combined with the traditions surrounding debutantes, ensure Gladys would not find a significant change to her lifestyle if she came out at this point in the show, which is why she has to wait longer than Daphne.
In Britain, noble and wealthy families began the tradition of introducing their daughters to society by presenting them to the reigning monarch; however, «presentation» also occurred via debutante balls. These announced that a
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