16 Stoic Humility with Charles Dickens
In today's episode of the female stoic podcast we are discussing Humility in the novella Christmas carol byCharles dickens
The originalpublication date for Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is December 19,1843. It was an instant success, with the first edition selling out byChristmas Eve.
Like many ofDickens’ other works, A Christmas Carol was written as a work of social commentary. Dickens had alifelong devotion to helping the underserved due to his own family’sexperiences with debtors prison, which forced him to drop out of school as aboy and work at a factory.
As Dickens’biographer Michael Slater described, the author thought of A ChristmasCarol as a way to, “help open the hearts of the prosperous andpowerful towards the poor and powerless…."
And we couldargue this is a stoic approach to that same sense of loss that scrooge had,
And dickenstriumphs here, because he, as an author, is in alignment with his purpose. He had been proactive in his response tosomething as devastating as loss and poverty.
IMPORTANT:
My words, my face, my performance, my voice are my own (the property of Stephanie Poppins - nee Stephanie Hudson). I own the rights to this performance. I do not give permission for my voice, face or performance to be manipulated with AI. I do not give permission for my public persona to be manipulated/associated with anything other than the performances I post.
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Music by Jean-Miles Carter
Today in The Female Stoic Podcast we are talking about Virginia Woolf - the pioneering 20th-century English novelist, essayist, and avid journaler.
Woolf used her diary as a practice ground for her published works.
Journalling is an important part of Stoic Practise. And in this episode we compare the two journaling styles: free flowing consciousness versus a more structured approach, and come to understand the nuanced benefits of both.
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This week in The Female Stoic Podcast:
Stoic Silence with Anne Brontë
Helen Huntingdon, the protagonist of The Tenant ofWildfell Hall, is a complex character who is strong-willed, devout, and determined.
Initially known as Helen Graham, she flees her abusive,alcoholic husband, Arthur Huntingdon, to protect their son and is revealed to be a talented artist who supports herself. Her mysterious presence as the "tenant" of Wildfell Hall defies societal norms, as she challenges conventions by leaving her marriage and taking control of her own life.
She doesn’t shout and scream. Rail against the injustice, asthis, she understands would be fruitless. There is no emotional blackmail here. She seeks to take silent action. She creates distance between the affront and her reaction to it. She remains stoic, whilst secretly planning herescape. This novel is about Helen’s story of triumphover adversity, not just the emotional and psychological neglect she suffered as was the popular thought of those who railed against it at the time, but her commitment to stoic survival through the protection of her inner peace.
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Music by Jean-Miles Carter
In this week's episode of The Female Stoic Podcast:
In Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, Jane's refusal to compromise her values, such as her decision not to become Rochester's mistress, is a prime example of Stoic virtue and self-respect. She believes in her own "inward treasure" and maintains dignity and self-respect even when facing social disapproval or personal hardship.
The novel shows Jane striving for emotional balance, a core tenet of Stoicism. Her famous letter to Rochester demonstrates this, where she argues for a love that is "freely given" and based on reason, not passion alone. She asserts that true love should not make one a slave to another and that she will face the future with "dignity and without complaint" regardless of the circumstances.
Jane's drive for financial and emotional independence is another parallel to Stoicism, as it represents a desire for self-sufficiency and freedom from external control. By the end of the novel, she has acquired wealth and is her "own mistress," a status that allows her to return to Rochester on equal footing and assert her autonomy.
Jane is shown to be a character who prioritizes virtue and morality over fleeting emotions or desires, a concept that was culturally ingrained in 19th-century Britain, influenced in part by Stoic thought. Her rejection of both Rochester's unethical proposal and St. John's loveless one shows her commitment to a virtuous path, even when it means facing hardship.
Music by Jean-Miles Carter
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Austen's Anne Elliot (Persuasion) embodies a form of stoicism that is more hopeful and internally driventhan rigid, focusing on inner resilience and reason rather than outwardemotional control. Her stoicism is a quiet strength, allowing her toendure hardship, conform to social duties, and maintain a hopeful outlookthrough her self-reflection and reasoning, particularly during her longseparation from Captain Wentworth. This internal fortitude is ultimatelywhat allows her to be self-determined and persuasive when the time is right.
Anne's stoicism is not about suppressing emotions butmanaging them through reason and maintaining a hopeful inner life, especiallyregarding her love for Captain Wentworth. Her "hopeful stoicism"is demonstrated in her unwavering hope for a reunion.
A key aspect of her stoicism is her internal dialogue, whereshe reasons with her own feelings. For example, she scolds herself forquestioning Wentworth's sentiments and tries to reason herself out of herfeelings by focusing on the time that has passed.
Her stoicism is also seen in her willingness to conform todomestic duties and social expectations, as described However, the novel also questions a rigid female stoicism, and Anne's journey is one offinding her own voice and agency.
Through her actions, Anne becomes a powerful force forpersuasion. At a crucial moment, she finds the confidence to assertherself and instruct others, which gives her a new sense of confidence andeffectiveness.
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11 Idolatry - with George Eliot and Dorothea Brooke
The Female Stoic Podcast with Stephanie Poppins
This episode of The Female Stoic podcast looks at idolatry and how we, as stoics in training, should avoid it.
Dorothea attempts to actualize her philanthropic goals through her only plausible outlet: marriage to the middle-aged scholar, Edward Casaubon. However, the relationship that she expects to “deliver her from her girlish subjection to her own ignorance and give her the freedom of voluntary submission to a guide who would take her along the grandest path” only disappoints her, for Casaubon has no intention to cultivate Dorothea’s personhood. Besides wishing for a husband who would educate her, Dorothea also desires for a partner to converse with her as an equal: “Poor Dorothea before her marriage had never found much room in other minds for what she cared most to say.”
However, in the early days of their relationship, Dorothea attempts to adhere to convention and subdue her selfhood in order to assimilate into her husband’s identity.music copyright Jean Miles Carter @neworldbooks
published by Neworld Books
10 The Dichotomy of Control - with George Eliot and The Industrial Revolution
This episode of The Female Stoic podcast looks at the Dichotomy of Control and how it enables us to practise a stoic acceptance of external forces in order to maintain inner peace.
We will be referencing the work of George Eliot (nee Mary Ann Evans), and her ability to remained focused at a time of immense change.
In spite of the massive changes, both personal and social, George Eliot experienced in her lifetime, she chose to engage and depict them through her novels, rather than letting them overpower her.
She wrote about its impact on rural communities and the conflicts it created between tradition and modernity. She explored the social upheaval caused by industrialization, particularly the displacement of traditional livelihoods by machines and railways, and the resulting hardship for the working class.
Eliot's characters often grapple with their own emotions and desires, and her work emphasises the importance of self-control and accepting one's circumstances.
She frequently celebrates the inner strength of individuals who act on principle, even when it is difficult or likely to result in failure, a key Stoic virtue.
Her writing shows a belief that challenging situations "reveal" a person's character and provide opportunities for growth, rather than being insurmountable obstacles.
Some of her popular quotes, such as "It is never too late to be what you might have been," resonate with the Stoic focus on present actions and potential for personal transformation, regardless of past circumstances.
Music copyright Jean Miles Carter
In this episode if The Female Stoic:
Katy Carr is the 12 year old protagonist in 'What Katy Did' by Susan Coolidge - a children's novel that follows the life of Katy Carr and her siblings in a mid-nineteenth-century small-town setting. The story begins with a happy vignette depicting the carefree lives of Katy and her siblings. Katy, as the eldest, struggles to fulfill her mother’s expectations and often finds herself in trouble due to her untidy and reckless nature. But the plot changes dramatically when Katy has an accident. And in steps cousin Helen, to guide her to a stoic acceptance of the condition she now finds herself in. #stephaniepoppins
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Music copyright Jean Miles Carter @jmcarter.org
Mrs. Bennet embodies an overtly emotional approach to life, driven by the social and economic pressures of the Georgian era and a genuine desire to secure her daughters' futures through advantageous marriages. Her character contrasts sharply with stoic principles, as she is characterised by her outspoken anxiety, hyperbolic expressions of emotion, and relentless pursuit of husbands for her daughters, rather than maintaining emotional equanimity or withdrawing from external affairs.
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Music copyright Jean Miles Carter @jmcarter.org
Today's episode looks at the Stoic Mother.
In Little Women, Mrs March personifies the Stoic virtues of wisdom, justice, courage, and self-control . She remains steadfast during poverty, and supports her four, very different children, through their childhood, in spite of her own challenges.
Marmee is a major character in Little Women, but most of what we learn about her internal life comes from the lessons she teaches others. We know that she was once a part of fine society, and that Mr. March was wealthy when she married him.
Both Marmee and Mr. March were presumably generous early on in their marriage, because she supported him when he loaned his fortune to an unfortunate friend. That loan was never repaid, and the Marches were forced to change their lifestyle to accommodate. Marmee never complains about this change of circumstance, and instead learns how to cook, clean, and keep house without abundant resources. She retains her sophistication and takes pride in the home she does have. The novel does not follow Marmee’s character development, but it implies she became a stoic model of virtue because of this loss of wealth and her reaction to it.
The Power is in the Pause - How we can take time, to create a distance between external forces and the way we choose to react to them. This helps us gain clarity and focus and aids us in the protection of our inner peace.
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In this episode we look at a question sent in about dealing with re-occurring thoughts. In Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, Jane exhibits a true sense of radical responsibility when she makes the decision to leave Mr Rochester, because he is asking her to do something that does not align with her virtues.
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The works of Charlotte Brontë and George Eliot depict strong resonance with Stoic ideals. Both authors explored themes of self-control, acceptance of fate, and the importance of virtue, which are core tenets of Stoicism.
They are also known to have sympathies with the Bluestocking Group.
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In this episode we look at a question sent in about dealing with difficult people.In L M Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables, Anne Shirley exhibits a complete lack of stoic regulation of emotion when she meets Rachel Lynde, by having an explosive argument when Lynde criticises Anne's appearance. However, after stoic Matthew Cuthbert helps Anne reflect, she uses this as a guide, and eventually learns through the course of her development, to appreciate the power of the pause, to protect her inner peace.
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In Susan Coolidge's novel 'What Katy Did', Katy's stoic journey involves learning patience, cheerfulness, and making the best of difficult circumstances after a careless accident confines her to her bed.
It is through this suffering, she develops resilience and learns to manage her emotions.
This meditation is specifically designed to facilitate a deep and restful sleep.
The What Katy Did series is available in audiobook @neworldbooksuk
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In this episode, we look at Stoic resilience and its value in every day life.
We will be inspired by the work of L M Montgomery and Eleanor H Porter, and learn valuable lessons from the Stoic Philosophers Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius.
In Anne Of Green Gables and Pollyanna, we see two young protagonists who face innumerable challenges. These stories represent the challenges faced by female authors of the Victorian and Edwardian era.
Through these works, we come to see how the stoic practise of resilience helps them grow, and emerge as very capable young women.
All accompanying audiobooks available @neworldbooks.uk
The Female Stoic Podcast music copyright Jean Miles Carter
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In this episode of The Female Stoic podcast, we reflect on stoic virtue, and how you can cultivate it by seeking knowledge and understanding through regular examination of your thoughts and actions through journaling, meditation, and taking time for introspection.
With references to the Bronte sisters and their stoic work, alongside quotes by Epictetus, we will gain further clarity on
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FULL Audiobook available at www.neworldbooks.uk
The Female Stoic Podcast music - copyright Jean Miles Carter
This Stoic Meditation reminds us of the value of stoic action that we take to register emotion, but act anyway.
With quotes from George Elliot and Jane Austen, we are in good company.
Middlemarch reflects Stoic principles of self-denial, duty, and the cultivation of empathy and resilience in the face of struggle.
Pride and Prejudice's reflects Stoic themes of self-awareness, humility, and rational control over emotions and biases to cultivate inner virtue.
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In this episode we look at a questions sent in regarding perfectionism, and how this relates to the Stoic Higher Self.
By using references from George Elliot's Magnum Opus Middlemarch, we can gain a further understanding of roles and expectations, and how to juggle these whilst maintaining a clear sense of who we are and what we stand for.
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IMPORTANT:
My words, my face, my performance, my voice are my own (the property of Stephanie Poppins - nee Stephanie Hudson). I own the rights to this performance. I do not give permission for my voice, face or performance to be manipulated with AI. I do not give permission for my public persona to be manipulated/associated with anything other than the performances I post.
Music copyright Jean Miles Carter - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9160788/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Welcome to the Female Stoic Podcast -
Your host: Stephanie Poppins
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