life of one as well. Leigh explains, "She had lived, we'll say, a harmless life, she called a virtuous life...which was not a life at all" (1181). Aurora equates her aunt's 'virtuous life" with a restrictive, stifling existence. Not only does the aunt lead a structured life; additionally, she adheres to the traditional gender roles (or rules) established by man in a man's world. "The lor!
             d-lieutenant looking down sometimes...The apothecary looked on once a year..." (1181). These male, authority figures feel it is their duty as Christians and, more importantly, as men to look upon the aunt who has no man in her life to take care of her. Leigh's aunt does not object to the men fathering her, but instead, "exercised her Christian gifts/ of knitting stockings..." and continues to fill her female role in a males' society (1181). Aurora perceives her aunt's traditional role playing as "A sort of caged bird life..." and describes herself as, "A wild bird scarcely fledged," who was "brought to her cage..." (1182). Perhaps Browning employs the bird metaphor to invoke sympathy in the reader for Aurora Leigh. By doing so, the reader develops sympathy for the advancement of women in society. Also, in portraying Aurora's aunt in a negative fashion, the aunt's opinion becomes less credible. For instance, the aunt hates Aurora's "Tuscan mother who had fooled away/ A wise man fr!
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