How do you interpret the title of the novel?

How do you interpret the title of the novel?

I think the title has several meanings....very clever.
The first is of course Ruth's fight at the Fair in Bristol which was supposed to be rigged, but turned out to be anything but a fair fight. Then there was Tom's fight, which was a fair fight, but turned out to be the major turning point in Tom and Ruth's life, causing them to dig deep and really discover what they were made of.

And on a more philosophical level, the basics in life with regards to the advantages given to men at that period in history and the fight women had just to be acknowledged.

With just the first two pages of the novel,the title can apply to the "home" environment in which the narrator is being raised as well as her less-than-standard-appearances in a society that often judges women solely on looks.

I agree with both patrician's and rebeccar's answers, and that is why I think this debut novel is very good. It provokes thought.
When I finished the book, I thought that the author intended her readers to believe that life really can deal the right cards to people and characters who behave badly in their lives and who will reap the consequences. Bowden is my best example: His money to Ruth's opponent at the county fair almost caused her death. That act set in motion Tom's entrance into the boxing world and Granville's and his ticket to wealth and respectability. Although George Bowden protests that he wants to move on from his parasitic life with Perry, his character flaws prevent him from doing so. Consequently, his sentence to life with Perry is a satisfactory ending for him. Patrician sent me further in my thinking in that so much more hinged on The County Fair. Charlotte's life begins to awaken from her self-imposed life of "looking at her gloved hands in her lap." My interpretation combines both reviews plus a thought that Charlotte and Ruth's story shows that if life isn't perceived as fair, these two characters show that the playing field can me bade level.

I agree with the views already put forth. Additionally, for me it evoked the concept of the "fairer sex" fighting for a place in life.

I think there were some really good points brought up here so far. I also was thinking that it might have to do with the character's relationships as well. There are a lot of situations between the characters that I would not necessarily categorize as a "fair fight" including Mr. Dryer's treatment of pretty much everyone and George's manipulation of certain characters. While the "fair fight" reference could be interpreted to be a discussion of the actual fighting scenes, I think that the real fight is over the affairs of the heart.

I think the title is really clever since it can have so many meanings -

- the fight at the fair
- the fact that it ended up being a fair fight
- the fight of the fair sex for equality/respect

As noted above there are many interesting ways to apply the title to aspects of the novel, however my favorite part of the book was when Charlotte decked her obnoxious, nasty husband and thereby earned his respect - which she now had no interest in having!

ruthlea I loved that part too. That was justice

I loved that part as well.

I believe it means fair to the women who want to belong to an all male sport in a time when people judged women if they did not stay home and be the good little wife. It's battle of the sexes! I'm so glad that times have changed since then. Look at Ronda Rousey and you will see how much the times have changed. Women have come a long way since the characters in the book.

"The Fair Fight" means that everyone is entitled to fight for their beliefs in a fair way. Sometimes the fight may not seem fair at the time. But in the end the fight will make you stronger for fighting the fight.