Lady Whistledown was created by a young woman who needed an escape from the real world. She was born in an era that put down those who were different from the rest of society. For Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), she was one who was seen differently.
During the Regency Era, women were merely expected to have babies and care for their husbands, amongst other duties. They were expected to have a boy since men had more rights and power than women.
Rather than find herself on the edge of a cliff, after being invisible and made into a joke, Penelope Featherington chose another path. She chose to empower herself by becoming Lady Whistledown. Being invisible to the “ton” is what she was used to. In the end, it benefited her in more ways than one.
The quill became her sword while Lady Whistledown became her armor.
Being Invisible and a Joke the Rest of the Time
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From the beginning of the Bridgerton series, the viewer can see that Penelope is not noticed like the rest of the women in society. Penelope and Eloise are on the outside, but being an outsider is only something Eloise wants, not Penelope. However, Penelope does not speak this truth to Eloise until later in the season.
Despite being invisible to society, Penelope faces a lot of ridicule for how she looks and acts. She is the butt of many jokes with the women of society, especially when it comes to Cressida (Jessica Madsen), who stops at nothing to belittle Penelope in every way possible.
Even when Penelope finally has her glow up, Queen Charlotte merely notices her existence and continues looking for the next diamond of the season. She’s still invisible even when she shouldn’t be.
Penelope Featherington and Her Family
The way Penelope’s family views her is no different than the rest of the society. She is not safe outside in society, and she is not safe even in her own home surrounded by people who are supposed to love her no matter what.
Time and time again, Penelope’s family finds ways to put her down. Even her mother, Lady Featherington (Polly Walker), will put her down and remind her of what everyone thinks of her. Although she does put down her other daughters, it seems she is more ruthless when it comes to Penelope.
Lady Featherington would rather invest time in finding husbands for her other daughters than help Penelope. Then when her sisters do find husbands, she continues investing more time in getting the two older sisters pregnant rather than spending the same time and energy into Penelope.
Although Lady Featherington didn’t prepare the other two sisters to be wives, she still ensured they were married off to benefit their family and, more importantly, herself. The viewers can take away that Penelope was not the investment Lady Featherington believed would pay off for her.
Becoming Lady Whistledown
It is no wonder why Penelope took out her pain and anger by becoming Lady Whistledown from what we have seen in the three seasons of Bridgerton. No one offered her kindness other than the Bridgerton family. Their home was a safe place to escape for Penelope.
As a result, she used her invisibility and intelligence to benefit herself by becoming Lady Whistledown. When her gossip paid off, she grew more confident in herself. You can watch her blossom, especially in season 3, part 1, of Bridgerton.
Penelope is finally choosing to fight rather than be the typical Damsel in Distress that constantly needs rescuing by Eloise and Colin. Although her battle is in secret, Penelope has found a weapon to put society in its place and show everyone who they are.
Lady Whistledown and Love
In the next part of season 3, Penelope will have to face giving up love or giving up her armor. In the most recent trailer, you can hear Penelope tell Colin that she can take care of herself as well as him noticing ink marks on her hands.
Colin notices she is keeping a secret. At the same time, the Queen is on the hunt for her identity, and Eloise is pressuring Penelope to be honest with Colin. How can someone love another without fully knowing them?
In season 3, part 2, Penelope is wondering how she can tell Colin the truth without losing who she is and him in response. Penelope has built herself up while building a business as Lady Whistledown. She loves the power it brings. Will it all come tumbling down when the truth is revealed? Or will it work out in her favor?
For now, we will be waiting on the edge of our seats for June 13 to find out what happens in the rest of season 3 of Bridgerton.
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