The first issue Murray takes on is the notion that women are intellectually inferior to men. She argues that, “we can only reason from what we know, and if opportunity of acquiring knowledge hath been denied us, the inferiority of our sex cannot fairly be deduced from thence” (133), effectively blaming the imbalance of education for perceived differences in intellect. Using this line of reasoning, she furthers the idea by comparing the intellect of 2 year old children as an intuitive example. From that age forward, “the one is taught to aspire, and the other is early confined and limited. As their years increase, the sister must be wholly domesticated, while the brother is led by the hand through all the flowery paths of science” (133).
Although it was common for girls to receive an education no higher than reading for knowing more was seen as unfit for marriage (Archives: Part One, Women’s Education), she accomplished both reading and writing at home while having access to her family’s large
Marjane Satrapie, in her book Persepolis, states, “I wanted to be an educated, liberated women. And if the pursuit of knowledge meant getting cancer, so be it (73) The oppression of women has been present in several different cultures. While many women in different nations have fought to establish their place in society, several cultures still suppress women with harsh restrictions on their way of life. Well-known authors such as Marjane Satrapi, Bahithal al-Badyia, and (add name here), though born in different eras, all understood the fundamental importance of women
As claimed by Joseph Campbell, “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek”. The book The Other Side Of The Sky by Farah Ahmedi shows exactly that, in fact, this is what every hero experiences throughout their journey. It all begins with Farah’s status quo, her hunt for knowledge beckons her into an adventure, then following up with a traumatic incident that progresses her even further for the peace she yearns. During her quest, she becomes separated from her natural world and begins a new phase of her journey which tests her and puts her through an overwhelming amount of agony and alas, It gives her the treasure she desperately sought for. Thus returning, she enters her natural world again with new found enlightenment and vigor,
An example of this is shown in document three, German girls attend school until the age of 14 they went to school Monday through Saturday but had no textbooks and no homework, and their education was minimal except in matters relating to childbirth. “Girls do not require the same sort of Education that is essential for boys. The schools for boys teach military science, military geography, military ideology, and Hitler worship; those for the girls prepare the proper mental set in the future mates of Hitler's soldiers” Clearly there is a disconnect between growing up even as a woman or man in Germany. This theme is further perceived when one of the minister rust’s officials gives his opinion on why co-education is a problem he explains it is because young boys should not have the distraction of females while trying to focus on their academics.
Also exclusive was their “sphere,” or domain of influence, which was confined completely to the home. Thus the Cult of Domesticity “privatized” women’s options for work, for education, for voicing opinions, or for supporting reform. The true woman would take on the obligations of housekeeping, raising good children, and making her family’s home a haven of health, happiness, and virtue. All society would benefit from her performance of these sacred domestic
A secret, a piece of information withheld; knowledge unknown by others. Throughout The Odyssey by Homer, the intuitive Penelope masters the art of keeping her massive secret. Penelope’s well-kept knowledge is seen only by the reader when it is slyly revealed in certain scenes. Only the intellect of Odysseus’ own wife could be cunning enough to unearth the true identity of the strange beggar: to discover the guest is Odysseus. Penelope’s slip of the tongue in Book 19 reveals to the reader that she recognizes the stranger as her long-lost husband Odysseus.
The view of women had transformed from a housewife to a republican wife and mother (Berkin 154). Women now believed they had a right to an education equal to men's. More radical advocates believed that women should be well educated in order to raise better educated children (MacLean). Reformers for the education of women campaigned for the establishment of schools that offered challenging classes rather than lessons in refinement. These classes would publicize the intellectuality of women, and prove how little they valued luxury and perfection.
After skimming through Volume 1 of The Norton Anthology Literature by Women, I noticed the reoccurring themes of patriarchy, women subordination, and the strength to be creative despite oppression. During the times that these literary pieces were written, women were constantly battling the patriarchy in order to get basic rights. During the earlier time periods, intelligence was seen as a sign of an evil spirit in a woman, resulting in miniscule amounts of literary works written by women. Women were not provided with equal spaces to creatively express themselves, as mentioned by Virginia Woolf. Moreover, they were not given the same publishing opportunities, many women either went anonymous or by a fake male name to have their works published.
“A Jury of Her Peers” is a valuable resource for anyone curious to what life was like for women in the twentieth century for which it demonstrates women struggling to publish and define
The majority of the story takes place as Binti heads to Oomza Uni and once she arrives. However, Binti’s decision to attend Oomza Uni was not taken lightly. Himba women are not to leave their homeland unless embarking on their sacred pilgrimage. Binti risked losing the trust of her family and entire village. She risked becoming a monster in their eyes.
Russ makes it known male ideals subject women to the non-intellectual equal. Anything that strayed from “the straight mind” is likely to be considered with skepticism, constructed by “feminist bitches”. Russ’s men characters verbally recognize a specific variety of women’s intellectualism, however, it is subdued intellect as she notes that of course men thought they were smart, however, just not as smart as them. They say: “Of course you're brilliant. They say: of course you'll get a PhD and then sacrifice it to have babies.”
The issue of the veil has come to represent the essence of Islam, not only to the West, but also to Muslim Conservatives and Fundamentalists. To some in the West, the veil represents repression and constriction of women’s freedom and choice, limiting their capacity for self-determination. However, some Muslims would argue that women must veil because it is a first step towards restoring true Islam and a defiance against the West Interventionist policies (Lazreg, Why Women Should Not Wear the Veil, pg. 113). Additionally, the idea of freedom as the ultimate value, is a western standard and that for some, piety is more important. Lila Abu-Lughod and Marnia Lazreg have contrasting views on the veiling of Muslim women and the affects it has on their lives.
Throughout history up until her time women are property of someone else or treated like incomplete people and the impacts of this kind of treatment ripple through time and do not leave just because women have their own college. The long hammered in the idea that women are less than will not go away until women are able to make their own history and have their own voices heard for generations. Woof’s exploration of this idea is vital for other women finding their own voices. Every moment a woman puts her ideas out into the world with her name on it and her ideas boldly thrust through, the anthology and history of
With the rise of civilization also came the rise of patriarchy-based societies and the slow decline of the importance of women in society. For the longest time the history of the world has been written by men who have been the head of the patriarchy and have forgotten the role of women in history. It is important to realize that women do in fact have a place at the table with men when it comes to importance in history, and are not just the ones cooking and serving the meal. It is women who tasked with raising the next generation. By looking at women of the past, people of the future can learn and evolve to fight oppression and gain their own power.
