Patrick White's Voss defines the rules and regulations of women and men in this Australian society. Even this remote colony in the nineteenth century has to deal with high society's expectations spoiling their freedom in undiscovered land. Laura and Voss struggle with being outsiders, because of their personal philosophies do not match up with society's expectations. Laura and Voss find each other because they are the rule breakers.
Men and women look down on Laura for being educated. Mrs. Pringle believes Laura's possession of "brains" is "not to be trusted," fearing young women who are educated as a sign of the apocalypse (51). Laura reads "a great deal out of such books until she feels her "mind is complete", so she can have "private" thoughts, only way Laura is able to hear the philosophies of others, being able to devise her own opinions, and passing on her knowledge to her future students at the school she inherits (3).
Belle and Laura are supposed to rely on their looks to get a husband. When Tom Radclyffe asks Laura what she is thinking, Laura says to him, "I am sorry, Tom, to have given you literally what you asked for. You must take care not to run the risk in the future" (76). Tom views Laura as a challenge, and decides to court her beautiful but dimwitted cousin Belle instead. When Voss first meets Laura, we are led to believe beauty is not "necessary to him," because he wants someone, like Laura, who will intellectually challenge him (8).
The women cannot choose their friends. Men like Judd and Turner can't hide their distaste for Voss as a leader, and are able leave the expedition without thinking of societal consequences. On the other hand, women like Mrs. Bonner decide "it would be politic to keep [Mrs. Pringle] as a friend," even though she doesn't like her, because of the social hierarchy (292). Belle and Laura seem to have the only honest friendship as women, "greedy for each other's love" even though they are complete opposites (421). Belle "resents" Laura out of love because she knows "she was not, and never would be of her cousin's class" (438). They both envy the other's different aspects of life, such as companionship and knowledge.
The women are supposed to wait at home and not explore the harsh lands of Australia like the men on the expedition. Laura says to Voss, "Oh, I know I am ignorant [about the country]. Women are, and men invariably make it clear to them," which makes her seem jealous she doesn't get the same opportunities of adventure like the men, because she is forced to play the naive girl role when traveling through the unknown (5). Laura seems mystified by the dangers of the land, but she does not "afraid," or believes Voss is afraid either (22).
The people are expected to be religious, praying and going to church every Sunday to show their faith in God. Laura and Voss both questioned God's existence, are prideful enough to be "damned", and Voss hates "humility" (83). If Laura had gone to church without faking a headache, meeting Voss wouldn't have had the same impact on her. Their meaningful conversations about God brought them closer before Voss left on the expedition, because they were able to figure out who the other one was deep down.
If Laura and Voss followed the rules placed upon them by society, Laura and Voss's relationships would mirror the unhappy Pringles, the Bonners, and the Radclyffes. They would not be able to communicate, because they are hiding their true selves from the backlash of judgments. Because Laura and Voss don't follow the rules, they are able to make a deeper connection with each other more than any other man and woman in this society.
Works Cited
White Patrick. Voss. New York: Penguin, 1957. Print.
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