I think it's a combination of both. She has the desire to do away with the castes all together, but realizes that they can't just be abolished. It would lead to anarchy and a complete loss of order. Change is something that will have to come slowly in order to maintain societal stability.
[And whereas Mary thought some of the laws were rubbish, order was necessary. She was a soldier. She would be queen when she got back to Albion. Order was important.]
But still some change needs to be enacted - albeit small at first - in order for there to be any movement toward a caste-free society. And taking that risk, deciding on and implementing that first change is a scary thing to do. And I'm not sure Geneva is willing to do that. At least not yet.
I asked her where the caste separation based on hair color came from, and she couldn't tell me. It was just 'how it has always been'. I suggested that the first thing she should do toward breaking down the caste barrier would be to legalize cross-caste physical contact.
...obviously I have a vested interest in that being legal, but I pointed out to her that even with it being legal, that the majority of the natives will still not touch the opposite caste because that's the way it's always been. But slowly, they'll get used to the idea that it's okay to touch each other - since it's happening anyways - and that's really the first step needed. The real first step to eventually abolishing the castes.
I also suggested standardizing law enforcement so there were equal consequences for mongrels and elites when the same crime is committed. But I didn't push. [A pause.] Much.
Voice
[And whereas Mary thought some of the laws were rubbish, order was necessary. She was a soldier. She would be queen when she got back to Albion. Order was important.]
But still some change needs to be enacted - albeit small at first - in order for there to be any movement toward a caste-free society. And taking that risk, deciding on and implementing that first change is a scary thing to do. And I'm not sure Geneva is willing to do that. At least not yet.
I asked her where the caste separation based on hair color came from, and she couldn't tell me. It was just 'how it has always been'. I suggested that the first thing she should do toward breaking down the caste barrier would be to legalize cross-caste physical contact.
...obviously I have a vested interest in that being legal, but I pointed out to her that even with it being legal, that the majority of the natives will still not touch the opposite caste because that's the way it's always been. But slowly, they'll get used to the idea that it's okay to touch each other - since it's happening anyways - and that's really the first step needed. The real first step to eventually abolishing the castes.
I also suggested standardizing law enforcement so there were equal consequences for mongrels and elites when the same crime is committed. But I didn't push. [A pause.] Much.