No, Thank You, John - Gender Roles

Question 1

John - Feminine

Answer 1

The speaker asks John why he insists on ‘teaze[ing],’ her. In the Victorian period the verb ‘tease,’ was often used to depict a women playfully provoking a man - thus likening John to a woman. Appears desperate?

Question 2

Women

Answer 2

‘I’d rather answer ‘No,’ to fifty Johns than answer ‘Yes,’ to you.’ - Women were often expected to get married swiftly when the opportunity arose in the Victorian period and thus the speakers unwillingness despite John’s persistence opposes natural gender roles within the period.

Question 3

Comfort

Answer 3

The speaker for points not understood to be in ‘open treaty,’ and says that John should refrain from any ‘Quibbles,’ or ‘Shuffling pff and on.’ Her adamance against a relationship is admirable and uncommon for the time period. Her comfort of John reverses the gender role likening him to feminine qualities of the period.