@sorakasturi although 'women are property' was a thing but that wasn't all of it. It has a lot to do with the culture and norm back in those times.
First thing being the fact that 'women don't have right for inheritance'. For Mildred it's seen in her first marriage. Her first husband died but she didn't get the inheritance because of children were daughters. Inevitable someone from her husband side inherited his noble tilte (don't remember what his title was) and the property. So Mildred then married a business man. Luckily from her second husband she managed to get the property because it wasn't a family inheritance but something he bought and earned himself. Like the mansion for example was bought. So she gets to keep it.
Second, all her kids are daughters. The issue is that girls back then, when they get married they move and live with their husbands and are considered part of their husband's family. When all her daughters gets married Mildred would be by her self. This also why it was considered a good thing to have a son more than a daughter, since sons has right for inheritance and gets stay with their parents even after marriage. Of course none of this would be a problem if you were rich but not for Mildred, she doesn't have much. She's already doing the house work cause she can't hire servents. There is no income so she will have be frugal with what she has. Starting is a business a thing but it's not easy (investment, business partner, u can also get scamed, etc). If u don't have a strong backing and support it won't be easy. Mildred doesn't mind she's fine with taking care of herself but if she got married she'll be able to live an easier life. Which is why her brother is pushing her to get married, he gets connection she gets a comfortable life is what her brother thinks. Unfortunately women were not considered equal back then so their personal feelings were not considered and would end up marring even if they don't like. Though that doesn't happen if their family is caring and considerate but Mildred isn't so fortunate when it comes to her brother.
Edit: OMG I typed all that and clicked on comment and it disappeared. ๐ตThank goodness it got posted cause I ain't typing all that again.
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