Crafting Fanny The Fairy: Wealth And Its Hidden Pressure
One of the ideas I wanted to explore through Grizelda's story was the hidden pressure that can come with wealth. From the outside, Grizelda's life appears almost perfect. She lives in an enormous home, has access to private tutors, wears gowns from some of the finest fashion houses and attends events that most people could never hope to enter. Yet none of this makes her feel free.
Aware of the lingering gazes upon her, Grizelda maintained her composure in front of the counter, her gaze fixed on the wall ahead.
Because Grizelda has money, people assume that she must also have everything else. Happiness, confidence, beauty, intelligence and eventually a prestigious marriage. There is very little room for failure.
Countless hairstyles were attempted, dance lessons were a daily routine, and Ginni continually critiqued her daughter's posture, speech, movements, and even breathing. This ball marked Grizelda's debut into society, and Ginni, who had single-handedly educated her daughter, was intent on presenting her as the epitome of perfection to stave off any gossip from other families. After all, it was highly unconventional for a woman to manage an entire estate independently, and any perceived missteps by Grizelda would inevitably be attributed to her mother's guidance.
That is the hidden pressure of wealth that I wanted to explore. The wealthier you become, the more people can expect from you. Grizelda cannot simply walk into a shop without people reacting to her name. She cannot speak freely without someone wondering whether she is being arrogant. She cannot correct someone without being accused of believing herself superior.
"She believes she's superior to the rest of us just because she possesses a modest understanding of mathematics and philosophy. Well, good luck finding a husband who can tolerate that attitude," the second voice sneered.
Even her potential marriage is treated as a transaction. Milo's family is interested in her because she possesses the qualities they believe will make a suitable mother for their heir. Her intelligence, education and personality are almost irrelevant to them.
"I could care less about your need to know one another. I want an heir, and you will deliver it, even if you have to remain confined in this house for three additional months."
The more money Grizelda has, the more difficult it becomes for her to determine whether people genuinely like her or simply want something from her. That is what makes wealth so complicated in her story. It provides her with almost everything she needs, while making it incredibly difficult to know what she actually has.