The “Bridgerton effect” has been felt through most forms of pop culture, and with the fourth season recently airing, the issues and standards presented in the show have been put on display. Connections between our modern times and the Regency era have made many rethink what our society really represents and is affected by.
“Bridgerton,” first airing on Netflix at the end of 2020, follows the Bridgerton family as they each make their debut into society. Each season, like the book series written by Julia Quinn, follows a different Bridgerton child and their journey through finding love in the marriage market of early 1800s London. There is also a column that is printed each week by the infamous pseudonym Lady Whistledown, where she writes about the town’s current gossip and scandals.
The show is most known for its diverse representation, depiction of early debutantes and luxurious costuming. Reputation, relationships and social status govern the characters’ lives.
“Bridgerton” displays many societal expectations and pressures that are still prevalent and mirrored in our world today.
In the show, young women are introduced to the Queen and the rest of the town for the first time to begin their marriage season. Their goal during the next few months of their season is to find a respectable, wealthy husband that is sure to provide for them. Today, many women feel this same type of pressure to be in a relationship and follow a specific timeline to meet all the “typical” milestones.
Modern society relies heavily on social presence and curating the perfect online image of yourself. While this is yet another unrealistic standard for anyone with a social media page, it is also seen through Lady Whistledown’s scandal sheets that can also show parts of one’s life that may not be fully true. Just as the Bridgertons worry about how they are perceived by society, many individuals today feel pressure to maintain a certain appearance or lifestyle online to avoid judgment or criticism.
In “Bridgerton,” women are judged heavily on their appearance during the social season. They must dress elegantly, follow strict beauty standards and present themselves in a way that attracts attention from potential suitors. Similarly, today’s society often places strong pressure on people, especially women, to meet certain beauty ideals. Social media, advertising and celebrity culture can create expectations about body type, fashion and appearance that influence how individuals feel about themselves.
“Bridgerton” highlights social class and status, which remain relevant today. Characters in the show constantly navigate hierarchies of wealth, title and influence. Although modern societies are more able to move from different classes more easily than in “Bridgerton’s” setting, class differences and economic status still shape opportunities, relationships and social circles. People still feel influenced to only like people who share similar statuses and that they cannot outrun this since it is what has always been done.
The “Bridgerton effect” has encapsulated many of the societal expectations we still see today. With references to meeting specific milestones, showing the world who you want to be seen as and how much you are worth, “Bridgerton” has shown us that maybe the world has not changed so much since the 19th century.
