Feminine Fascism

Fascism, comedy, and weak commitments in Nancy Mitford’sWigs on the Green

“…The novel's main characters are aristocratic, and almost all of them convert to Social Unionism over the course of the novel. The aristocratic involvement with the BUF itself in the 1930s was relatively minor, 37 but as Suh notes, many aristocrats had broader fascist sympathies because they believed it offered a way to "sustain authentic forms of Englishness," including the class hierarchies that benefited them so greatly. 38 Mosley was an "aristocratic rebel" who turned towards fascism to combat the decay of his class.…”

“…38 Mosley was an "aristocratic rebel" who turned towards fascism to combat the decay of his class. 39 His family's ancestral estate had been sold in the early 1920s, and Mosley wanted to restore the feudal ideals of his childhood, a view that resounded with others who had faced (or were facing) a similar situation. 40 Much in the same way, Eugenia's speech immediately resonates with Jasper, who comments that while she is a "lunatic," she is "not stupid."…”

“…Julie V. Gottlieb has highlighted that the English aristocratic interest in fascism based itself on its international versions-Mussolini's Italy, Hitler's Germany-rather than its domestic iteration. 45 These dictatorships carried "an aura of glamour" for certain sections of high society. 46 Mitford mostly gleaned her knowledge of fascism from Diana and Unity, who were both frequent visitors to Germany in the 1930s.…”

“…As Gottlieb illustrates, the vision of women in an established British fascist state was one of domesticity, emphasizing the roles of women as mothers and homemakers. 75 Eugenia certainly projects these ideas, explaining that "the woman's duty is to retire to her proper place, the bedroom," 76 and that women cannot have lovers, as they should "have husbands and great quantities of healthy Aryan children" instead. 77 Even though she is not as firm in her views as Eugenia, this return to traditional domesticity attracts Poppy to Social Unionism.…”

‘Living the Blackshirt Life’: Culture, Community and the British Union of Fascists, 1932–1940

“…46 Yet, despite this appearance of structured marginality, women at local levels of the movement played a key role in the Blackshirt community. 47 Opportunities for inter-branch contact, on a political and social level, were also extensive. This inter-branch contact provided wider social opportunities than the more localised networks of village, town and community life.…”