When we think about men and women prior to the 1920’s, we think of their typical roles; the woman as the housewife and the man as the worker. We also think of the man having more freedoms and opportunities than the woman. Through out the 1920’s, despite their differences, equality slowly became part of the big picture. The role of women in society had taken a huge turn. From the right to vote to having new personal freedoms, the 20’s were a time of the “new women.”
Ignorance is Not Bliss The short story titled “Shiloh” by Bobbie Anne Mason focuses on a married couple by the name of Norma Jean and Leroy Moffit. At first glance the story follows unemployed Leroy as he discovers his marriage is falling apart. Leroy was hurt in an accident on the job and has been spending his time at his house now with Norma Jean and his mother-in-la, Mabel who sometimes visits. Through out the story Leroy exhibits a lack of general awareness.
In April of 1966, James Brown sang that “this is a man’s world”, however only four decades before women had been working to prove their value and social power, by challenging the social norms, and showing that it truly would be nothing with the women of the nation. Though, in reality, to what extent did they challenge the social norms of their time? There were limitations facing the women of the 1920s regardless they changed society for the better. Even before the 1920s, women were making a new name for themselves in society. The First World War was a pivotal moment for women’s social status.
Life for women changed drastically over time throughout the years of 1880 to 1920. Some of these changes included inequality in education and job rights, certain rights after marriage, the inability to vote. The women of the 19th and 20th century believed they could be more than just a housewife for men, but rather gain better rights as a women. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton worked as a team to promote equal women’s rights during 1880-1920. They both created and published a woman's newspaper called the “Revolution” from 1868-1870.
Gender discrimination has been an issue women have endured and overcame for many tears. Women were expected to play the role of a stayed home mother and wife with the exclusion of very few. As the country called for the men to defend the country therefore help from women in order to produce goods and keep the economy up flow while the men fought abroad, women answered and got to work. Many women broke the chains that held them back from expanding their abilities in the workforce by proving they were as capable, articulate and hardworking just as any other man. As the typical house wife was transforming into a “Rosie the Riveter” created by Howard Miller, many feared women where moving away from the “American way of life”.
Women’s roles in the nineteenth century, although largely similar, were based on status, location, and personal belief. A woman’s status in the 1800’s could make or break her
This week in class we read the short story Shiloh by Bobbie Ann Mason. This story discussed the problems of the marriage between Leroy and Norma Jean. Through the years, their love and happiness between each other has decreased to the point where Norma Jean wants to separate. Norma Jean feels as if the spark they once had, would lead to a happier result, for both of them, if they were divorced; Leroy disagrees, and wants to do anything possible to keep the relationship alive. This unfortunate difference that the couple shares relates to my older sister’s previous relationship.
“It was indeed a solemn time and a solemn night for a boy just turned fourteen”. In “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh” by Ray Bradbury Joby Clem wants to be a soldier and fight in the war with the Blue Raiders. However, he is too young to be a soldier and is only a drummer boy for them and they see him as a mascot. Joby thinks the drum is just a toy. Then, soon enough the general talks to him changing his mind and making him proud of being the drummer boy for the Blue Raiders.
The three texts, “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh” by Ray Bradbury, Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen and Civil War Journal by Louisa May Alcott share the common theme of the importance of an individual's contribution during the Civil War. Joby’s contribution to the war is very important because it helps alert the soldiers and give them special signals. Charlie’s contribution to the war is also very important because he is helping the people win by risking his life. Louisa May Alcott’s contribution to the army is very important because she helps save lives of the soldiers. Contribution is very important in life because if one person does not do their job the whole army falls apart.
The Unnamed Woman Up until the 1900’s woman had few rights, thus they relied heavily on men. Women could not vote, they could not own their own property, and very few worked. Women’s jobs were solely to care for children and take care of the home. Women during this time, typically accepted their roles in society and the economy ( “Progressive Era to New Era, 1900-1909”).
Imagine a world where women cannot read or write. Women cannot own property, work, or even have a bank account. These are things only a man can do. Women are only to cook, clean, and bear children, then care for them. This world may seem like the world before the twentieth century.
The ‘New Woman’ was an ideal that sought a woman’s individual control over the outcome of her life, whether that was in personal, social, or economic realms. This is contrasted greatly with the Victorian ideal of a woman. Before the turn of the twentieth century, women were viewed as a man’s property and were expected to be angelic, weak, and subservient beings. Though America did not follow all of Britain’s social movements, many in the higher classes tried to achieve the ideal of being a Victorian ‘lady.’ The ‘New Woman’ movement went hand in hand with the suffragists’
Throughout history, men and women have had different expectations placed on them by the society in which they live. A traditional idea that can still be found in the modern world is that men are supposed to be strong and assertive, able to protect and provide for their families, while women should be mild in temperament and content with taking care of the home and raising children. Although these archaic notions of masculinity and femininity are slowly but surely on their way out, their demise did not begin until relatively recently. During the latter part of the 19th century, the time that author Sarah Orne Jewett lived, these social constructs still dominated American society. Jewett was a woman ahead of her time; writing stories such as “A White Heron,” “Farmer Finch,” and “Tom’s Husband” that expressed her disagreement with these constructs of stereotypical gender roles.
During the 1890’s until today, the roles of women and their rights have severely changed. They have been inferior, submissive, and trapped by their marriage. Women have slowly evolved into individuals that have rights and can represent “feminine individuality”. The fact that they be intended to be house-caring women has changed.
from 1922 was so aloof to the inequality that it states, “Gender is a matter of very little importance; it could be entirely omitted from our grammars without any loss” (Phillips, p 27). While this statement is ignorant enough to induce involuntary eye rolling, it illustrates perfectly the historic difficulties generations of American women endured. Their plight was one so often overlooked some did not believe it was ever
