IS CHIVALRY out and chauvinism in? If so, both men and women have played a part in it. In handling such a meticulous issue, I have gone through a quotation by Bruce Gould that says, ‘In England I would rather be a man, a horse, a dog or a woman, in that order. In America I think the order would be reversed.’ This affirms that a woman’s place in society makes the level of civilisation.

Chivalry, definitely, does not mean that you must have some sense to do something; it is what can easily make or break the impression you make. Some declare it to be a code of past when people from Victorian ages were gifted with exceptional etiquettes and men were generally asked to be gracious. Chivalry is an act of politeness not of suppressing women. It is a form of respect and decency, which is evident from history.

One third of the passengers who survived more than 91 years ago were children and women, when the Titanic struck an iceberg. Many men nodded to board the lifeboats until all the children and women were aboard. “‘Women and children’ first was neither the rule of captain nor of sea, but of human nature,” said the surviving ship officer. That’s what chivalry is! Manners are not dependent on any religion or on education, but are a combination of god’s gift and man’s own perceptions to acquire it. Albert Guerard said,

“Chivalry is the most delicate form of contempt.”

In the annals of history, men who lived by the rule of chivalry would be aghast and astonished to discover that a little discrimination left for the fairer sex by uncouth and offensive attitudes by men depicted the hidden chauvinist in them. Chauvinism is basically derived from Nicolas Chauvin, a soldier of First French Empire. The word ‘male chauvinism’ got edge in Women’s Liberation Movement in 1960s, and was applied to males who refused to regard women as equal.

Why do men today refuse to give seat to an elderly woman in a bus? Why are offenders of women wandering freely? Why are women always shouting for their rights? Is this showing the lost value of women in society because of male chauvinism or anti-feminists? Is there no law and order for the safety of women? “Always go for an individual gentleman,” Bill Clinton replied when Oprah asked him in an interview that what advice he had given to Chelsea about men. Now the question is – who is a gentleman in the eyes of women? The one who is going to perform courteous deeds like opening door for her, who is kind, considerate, king enough to carry her bag, does everything that keeps her happy, perhaps!

An American producer said, “Gallantry to women – the sure road to their favour – is nothing but the appearance of extreme devotion to all their wants and wishes, a delight in their satisfaction, and a confidence in yourself as being able to contribute towards it.”

Though this quote is clearly depicting the true meaning of chivalry and feminism but a Canadian writer Allan says, “When women started demanding equality, they then dumped people who treated them with too much courtesy. So, chivalry has died out too a large degree in ordinary daily life. ” Professor Nasreen in her article ‘Chauvinism’, tells us that major breakdown in chivalry is because of not proper guidance given to children by their parents related to the respect of different relations in their families.

I am going to put it differently that though chivalry of Victorian era cannot be brought back but women can remind the men of the old chivalry and gallantry towards them. Though it’s not men who slew the principles of chivalry, instead it was women who plunged the silver dagger into the heart of this ideal.

It would be my candid opinion to all men and women to try to respect each other in plain clothes and follow the codes of chivalry. It can lead humanity to behave like humans and feel the human values. The present enigma of man and woman and the concept of chivalry are now bi-directional; both should have the same glimpse. We are humans and should mould the concept of chivalry to every creature in the universe.