Saying "I Do"
Morganne Truesdale
Instructor: Alling
ENC 1101.77
June 24, 2013
Essay #1: Saying “I Do” What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think “marriage”? Do you smell a home cooked meal waiting on the table, after a long-hard day at work? Do you picture a beautiful home with a white picket fence? Maybe you think about a gorgeous white dress, that was altered to fit you just right. Or maybe it’s not white at all because your favorite color is black, and you refuse to be cliché on what’s supposed to be the most important day of your life. Maybe you see half of everything you own being taken out from under you if this whole “marriage thing” goes south, and that’s just not a chance you’re willing to take. Maybe the thought of being committed to one person for the rest of your life frightens you, and all of a sudden that beautiful woman standing next you is looking more like a prison warden, rather than your future wife. Whatever your views or opinions on marriage may be one things for certain; no one ever walked down the aisle, said their vows, and pledged before God and everyone most precious to them expecting to fail.
Marriage was not always based on the idea of two people falling in love and wanting to spend the rest of their lives together. In the 1800’s marriage was not just regarded as the joining of two people, but the joining of families, businesses, and wealth. Many women had suitors pre-arranged for them by their fathers. Although most marriages were based on the idea of security and companionship, that doesn’t mean that love did not exist in marriage. Once married, it was very difficult for a woman to divorce. The Matrimonial Act of 1857 gave men the right to divorce their wives on the grounds of adultery. However, there was no such act granting women that same right. Once divorced, the husband would automatically gain custody of the couple’s children, and in some cases, prevent the mother from seeing the children.
Everyone’s
Instructor: Alling
ENC 1101.77
June 24, 2013
Essay #1: Saying “I Do” What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think “marriage”? Do you smell a home cooked meal waiting on the table, after a long-hard day at work? Do you picture a beautiful home with a white picket fence? Maybe you think about a gorgeous white dress, that was altered to fit you just right. Or maybe it’s not white at all because your favorite color is black, and you refuse to be cliché on what’s supposed to be the most important day of your life. Maybe you see half of everything you own being taken out from under you if this whole “marriage thing” goes south, and that’s just not a chance you’re willing to take. Maybe the thought of being committed to one person for the rest of your life frightens you, and all of a sudden that beautiful woman standing next you is looking more like a prison warden, rather than your future wife. Whatever your views or opinions on marriage may be one things for certain; no one ever walked down the aisle, said their vows, and pledged before God and everyone most precious to them expecting to fail.
Marriage was not always based on the idea of two people falling in love and wanting to spend the rest of their lives together. In the 1800’s marriage was not just regarded as the joining of two people, but the joining of families, businesses, and wealth. Many women had suitors pre-arranged for them by their fathers. Although most marriages were based on the idea of security and companionship, that doesn’t mean that love did not exist in marriage. Once married, it was very difficult for a woman to divorce. The Matrimonial Act of 1857 gave men the right to divorce their wives on the grounds of adultery. However, there was no such act granting women that same right. Once divorced, the husband would automatically gain custody of the couple’s children, and in some cases, prevent the mother from seeing the children.
Everyone’s