Bridgerton is a series on Netflix that introduces the powerful Bridgerton family and their eight children’s journeys on finding love. The first season primarily focuses on their fourth eldest, Daphne Bridgerton. The story is set during the Regency era of England, in which young women are expected to make their debut in society once they are of age and get betrothed, preferably to a respectable young man from a reputable family.
Out of all of the rich characters, one, in particular, attracts my attention, Eloise Bridgerton, the fifth eldest child of the family, played by Claudia Jessie. She is the next daughter to debut in society once her older sister, Daphne, marries a fine gentleman. From the beginning of the show, Eloise is presented as a unique persona with no tolerance for anything besides her own passion. If you have seen the show, then you will know that in the very first episode, Eloise hurries her sister by yelling at the top of her lungs from the bottom of the stairs, which is an act very unladylike in this era. Already, this character has pushed the boundaries of stereotypes in her community.
Eloise is interested in the unknown writer, Lady Whistledown, who is behind a gossip column that circulates and exposes her society’s deepest secrets. Eloise admires the work Lady Whistledown has produced and the wealth she has acquired for herself as a woman in a male-dominated world. She admires her so much that Eloise’s aim in life is not wanting to debut like most girls her age, but to pursue her passion as a prolific writer, one that can strive on her own without being respected just because she is married to a man and his family name.
The identity of Lady Whistledown remains a mystery throughout the entire series, but her words are very impactful. Eloise has a strong desire to uncover the writer’s identity and perhaps learn from her secrets. She is later invited to work with the Queen of England to further progress in her efforts of finding out who Lady Whistledown truly is. Much to Eloise’s disappointment, the Queen only wishes to learn about the columnist to silence her. Eloise takes matters into her own hands and rescues Lady Whistledown from being caught, even if it means giving up her dreams of knowing who the writer is.
I resonate with Eloise’s character and her grasp of who she is and how much she is capable of. She cares about her family and friends deeply and does not wish to conform to the norm, even though it would please her mother. I hope to explore more about her character’s personality in future seasons of the series and how that will ultimately lead her to achieve her ambitions or find love.