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Themes of feminism in literature
Feminist literary analysis essay
Elements of feminism in literature
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More handpicked essays just for you.
Themes of feminism in literature
Feminist literary analysis essay
Elements of feminism in literature
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
For the 19th century America, the two sexes were to be separated into distinct spheres, the man’s public sphere and the woman’s private one. It was most common for the two sexes to spend their time mostly in the company of their own sex, and advices were given to the younger members of the society on the proper way of behaving according to one’s sex. Even though both sexes had to be instructed on how to perform in each other’s company, it was the shaping of a woman that needed to undergo through a series of instructions on the proper way to be a woman. A woman had to follow the rules of the Cult of True Womanhood to be considered proper and wife material. Fanny Fern in her writing appeals on and discusses the attributes of piety, purity, submissiveness,
In school, there are always those who do not understand the content in class, but get by with passing grades. In Mary Sherry’s essay, “In Praise of the F Word”, she writes about how in the American school system students get passed along without any consideration for their pace or skill level (Sherry, 564-566). Sherry also discusses how unprepared the American public is after high school and college (Sherry, 564). In, “In Praise of the F word”, Sherry also discusses her own son and one of his experiences in his high school (Sherry, 565). The content of “In Praise of the F word” was very persuasive, as Sherry effectively utilizes the aristotelian appeals.
In the world of theatre, a place which tends to be reserved for liberal expression and socially progressive content, Bekah Brunstetter’s The Cake appears to be somewhat of an anomaly. This is not to say that the play condemns or lacks representation of the social matters which are so commonly highlighted in contemporary theatre. In fact, The Cake very thoroughly explores the unceasing debate surrounding the topic of marriage equality. However, Brunstetter’s thoughtful characterization forces audiences to consider a perspective that is rarely supported, or even acknowledged, on the stage.
Caroline is the aunt of Ehrenreich's friend. Caroline talks to Ehrenreich in regards to being a low wage worker. During the their talk Caroline mentions “ Church”, and how you should always find a church when you are poor. Why would Caroline say this? Will as we read on page one hundred thirty two we explore what the church has done for Caroline.
Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy by Judith C. Brown is an intriguing and profusely detailed tale of Sister Benedetta Calini, also known as the Abbess of the Convent of the Mother of God, who reflects the escalation and the collapse of an authoritative woman in a religious society, and gives an initial record of lesbianism in European history. In this critique of Judith C. Brown’s, Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy, I will analyze her reason for writing the novel, her use of data, and her diction. Judith’s reason for writing this tale was to present how some women that were placed in the convent during the seventeenth century had authority, and let it get the best of them. She also presented
Therefore, William Shakespeare shows how the feminist perspective is not the best lens to view modern literature in his play “Othello”, when Shakespeare shared through Othello in Act 3 when he speaks to Iago that “The man whose wife has been unfaithful lives happily as long as he does not love his wife” (Shakespeare, 127). Likewise, this quote shows how the feminist perspective might not show us how women were treated in the 1600s; this scene explains how men were not expected to love their wife and not expected to care. He is allowed to be happy as long as he didn’t love his wife. This is absorbing because we can see in modern days that men expect women to love them even if they don’t. Lastly, women then and now are expected to love their husbands even if they aren’t being treated right whereas men don’t need to love their wife if they don’t want
The story encourages readers to romanticize heterosexual couples, enforcing a gender binary that excludes LGBTQ+ relationships. In particular, Shakespeare emphasizes the tradition that men would perform the act of courting women. This courting ritual was very important in developing a relationship, and later marriage. This is highlighted in a scene in which Juliet apologizes for seeming too easily won over. Juliet says, “In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, /
Throughout history the existence of patriarchy has threatened women’s rights to equality and self-determination. Patriarchy manifested itself in the marriage practices of early modern European society and became the foundation on which couples built their love and partnership. During the sixteenth century, literature describing ideal wives and husbands was a popular genre, but works about female gender roles were more prevalent. The Bride, a poem published by Samuel Rowland’s in 1617 details the duties of a good wife and life partner.1 The duties listed in Rowland’s poem were very common for women at that time and can also be seen in Steven Ozment’s book, Magdalena and Balthasar. Ozment’s book documents the relationship of Nuremberg Merchant Balthasar Paumgartner and
In Romeo and Juliet, “Cultural production of the female body”, and Abigail Adams’ letter, women are degraded and objectified as well as are prohibited from exercising their freewill, especially in marital relationships. Women are often put in situations where their free will is compromised due to male superiority and social obligation. In Romeo and Juliet, conflict between social obligation and free will repeatedly occurs when it comes to marriage. In Act 2.4, Capulet states “But fettle your fine joints’ gainst Thursday next, To go with Paris to Saint Peter’s Church, Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither. Out, you green-sickness carion!
In Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’, women are portrayed as either pure angelic beings and jewels, or as whores who are impure. They are objectified and shown as something to be used. The only women in this play are Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca compared to the main 6 male characters, not to mention the minor characters, who are also all male. Their depicted purpose is to belong to a man; Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca’s lives revolve around being wives to Othello, Iago and Cassio. This fits into the idea of a perfect Elizabethan woman, who’s lives are subject to their husband’s rule across all aspects, to be disposed of as men wish.
Elizabeth Cary’s The Tragedy of Mariam makes many valid points about women’s identities in marriage. Mariam’s choices throughout the play reflect her understanding of the fact that in the world she lives there is no space for a chaste, honest, independent woman. The standards that a woman of the time are impossible and Mariam’s attempts to grapple with them are doomed to fail. After experiencing the freedom of self expression afforded to her after she believes her husband has died she is unwilling to re-enter the position of a subordinate.
The author, being Garcia Lorca, originally wrote the play in spain while spain was dealing with many social justice problems. Lorca's reason for writing the pla was an outcry to feminism. In spain at the time, women lacked many civil rights, the could not do much on their own such as voting, divorcing and much more outside of house work and being a mother. In the play, the bride was not given a choice whether she wanted to marry the bridegroom or not and instead she was forced. The bride was also not allowed to divorce her soon to be husband either way, therefore, she was stuck in a marriage she did not want.
Shakespeare’s play, Much Ado About Nothing, is a play about multiple relationships. Hero and Claudio are the first relationship, and Beatrice and Benedick are the other relationship. The play talks about the ideal traits of a couple in the Shakespearian time period. Times have changed, as couples have evolved and have generally become less “traditional”. Back in the day, the female would submit to the male.
Mary Wollstonecraft’s, Maria or The Wrongs of Woman, is an analyzation and critique about a woman’s place in society. Specifically, that socially, politically, and economically woman are at a disadvantage. Furthermore, society perpetuates this imbalance through certain expectations about motherhood, marriage, and double standards. This power imbalance has always been present in society and through the analyzation of Maria and themes such as: motherhood, domination, and traditionalist thought it is possible to contextualize the era that Mary Wollstonecraft lived in to gain a better understanding of what women went through in her time so that we have a reference to compare to how women are treated today.
The male roles in the family seem to be above females’ because they get to make decisions for girls. Men feel dominant to women, so the same behaviors as the women are acceptable for them. Along with these, the ladies are not expected to crave love and affection like the gentlemen do. The gender issue of men being dominant and women being submissive used in the drama, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, shows the differences in the roles, behaviors, and expectations appropriate for each gender and is an example of an outdated stereotype. Unlike the time frame of this literature, women in the present are valued equal to men.