Gender Discrimination In Literature
Susan B Anthony’s quote sums up gender discrimination perfectly: “Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less.” Throughout history and continuing in today’s era, women are constantly recognized as a second choice. A majority of women are pressured to succumb to the needs of men and are too fearful to stand up against an oppressive society. The topic of gender discrimination is a topic that has been discussed in literature throughout the ages. During the thirteenth century time period, it is evident that the female characters were set apart from men. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight written by Pearl Poet, William Shakespeare's Macbeth, and A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen portray the gender discrimination that the female characters …show more content…
Women were also often in charge of tending the crops and participating in manufacturing textiles (“Women in Medieval Society”). Other women became writers, nurses, bakers, spinners, and weavers. However, women barely acquired any recognition for the hard work they did. Since women received less pay, they had to work more than one job to be able to earn the same as a man could (Truman). Women were unable to make a multitude of choices for themselves. For example, women could not vote and could not choose who they married or if they were ready to have children (Hamda). Most women had no control over the path that they wanted their lives to go in. Sir Gawain and The Green Knight, by Pearl Poet, is an example of misogyny and the male-dominated society that was prevalent during the thirteenth century. The female character, Lady Bertilak, is portrayed as a social construct of how subservient a woman should be to her husband. Lady Bertilak’s behavior alters throughout the story when she experiences a small sense of freedom or when she feels suppressed by the needs of her husband.
Women's Role In The Early 1800s
1528 Words | 7 PagesFor decade women have been discriminated by society, all around the world. In many countries women are still treated as the inferior sex. “daily life for women in the early 1800s in Europe(Britain), was that of many obligations and few choices. Some even compare the conditions of women in time as a form of slavery.” (Smith, Kelley. "
The City Of Ladies Analysis
1646 Words | 7 PagesMore than six hundred years later the same issues of inequality and misogyny are still present in our society. The movement to fight against anti-feminism is not new. Thus, it only proves that the discrimination of women is more than centuries old. Written in 1405, The City Of Ladies is an allegorical story in response to the attack of men against women. Christine De Pizan highlights how a women are capable of good and moral character despite to the contrary of what male philosopher claimed to believe.
Women In The Crucible
526 Words | 3 PagesIn what ways are women abused and discriminated against inside literature and throughout history? In many patriarchal societies, men have held authority over women due to gender. This power imbalance between men and women sometimes led to unjust treatment of women; men exert their authority over many women in the play, The Crucible. In The Crucible¸ male characters intimidate women to achieve specific outcomes and mark their superiority. Elizabeth Proctor, the protagonist’s wife, shows the standard for Salem women as she is submissive and does not defy her husband or the traditional role as a housekeeper.
The Yellow Wallpaper And Aunt Jennifer's Tigers: A Literary Analysis
982 Words | 4 PagesThe work is not yet complete, and is evident by looking at the domination of women throughout the centuries, specifically the 19th and 20th century, which was the height of the women’s rights movement. By analyzing two literary works from two different eras, “The Yellow Wallpaper” written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in the late 19th century and “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” written by Adrienne Rich in the mid-20th century, one can conclude that while there have been improvements to women’s rights, there is still discrimination prevalent. Although set in two different time periods, the main
Comparison Of Macbeth And The Yellow Wallpaper
939 Words | 4 PagesSocietal Expectations are not Barriers Two inspiring pieces of literature called Macbeth by William Shakespeare and “The Yellow Wallpaper” written by Charlotte Perkings Gilman share one eminent theme, which is the suppression of the female gender. Societies often place barbaric labels on those who seem unworthy rather than fight the judgments that are concrete and see for themselves. Social ideas during the two diverse time periods demonstrate how women are not seen as powerful figures and insanity progress within those who are stereotyped. Women are seen as creatures that are ineligible to think for themselves in.
Analysis Of The Midwife's Apprentice By Karen Cushman
778 Words | 4 PagesFirst, her gender affected her because there were only so many jobs a female could have in the Middle Ages. Many women just worked along with the men in the fields, taking care of the animals and doing housework. Also, many women had another occupation, like spinning, weaving,
Much Ado About Nothing Feminist Analysis
678 Words | 3 PagesEqual treatment of the sexes is a cause many have been fighting for, for decades, and in this case, centuries. Slight rebellious acts of women bending gender norms can be seen as far back as Shakespearean plays, in particular, Twelfth Night and Much Ado About Nothing. Olivia from Twelfth Night, and Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing showcase characteristics of being opinionated, assertive, and strong-willed; qualities that were rarely seen during that time period. Much Ado About Nothing was written around 1598 and Twelfth Night was written around 1601, which was the Elizabethan era. During the Elizabethan era, women were raised to think that they were inferior to men.
Feminist Criticism In Othello
1360 Words | 6 PagesFurthermore, Feminist Criticism provides a better view of literature because it shows that women can be powerful. When Emilia finds out that her husband has been plotting an evil plan she says,” Tis proper I obey him, but not now”(Othello V.2.195). Emilia refuses to help her husband after she finds the cruel intentions he has despite the expectation of women always being submissive to their husbands. Women also have a voice and feelings, they are capable of defying their husbands commands when they know what he expects is simply wrong. In a literary article,The Role of Women in Othello: A Feminist Reading states that,” Society weighs heavily on the shoulders of women; they feel that they must support the men and defer to them, even if the actions of the men are questionable” (Literary Articles).
Comparing Women In Macbeth And Homer's The Odyssey
2082 Words | 9 PagesWomen have always been portrayed as the weaker sex compared to men. It has been demonstrated in history itself and throughout literary works. Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Homer’s The Odyssey, however, portray women to be more powerful than men, even when their society thought otherwise and underestimated them because of their gender. Lady Macbeth, The Three Witches, Queen Arête and Penelope demonstrate the astute, charming, and ambitious side of women that was overlooked by men when it came to having power and making decisions.
Treatment Of Women In Medieval Times Essay
2250 Words | 9 PagesWomen of the Medieval Times Women have always had a significant role in history even though they were treated horrible in most cases. During the Medieval Times was really the first time women were allowed to become more than just a house wife. The fight for equality has always been a struggle and even in today’s society is still an ongoing battle. Although women of lower and middle class were treated poorly in the Medieval Times, some powerful women held great responsibility and were looked up too by both men and children; despite being admired, “men were thought to be not only physically stronger but more emotionally stable, more intelligent, and morally less feeble” (Hopkins 5). “The position of women in the Medieval Society was greatly influenced by the views of the Roman Catholic Church” (Heeve).
Comparing Women In Sir Gawain And Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
1297 Words | 6 PagesSir Gawain and The Green Knight and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales are two pieces of British literature that are incredibly interesting and thorough. Women play important roles in both of the texts. Throughout Sir Gawain and The Green Knight there are several important females present. The women being Guinevere for a short period of time, Lady Bertilak, and Morgan Le Fay. Guinevere is presented at the beginning of the text before The Green Knight barges into the castle, and is presented as the standard of beauty.
Women's Role In The Middle Ages Essay
1532 Words | 7 PagesIntroduction Women in the Middle ages were treated as the second class members within their social class. They were taught to be obedient to their husbands and were expected to run the household and raise children. Their role in the society, however, was much more complex, while some medieval women achieved a high level of equality with men. In the Middle Ages women had a secondary role, coming second after men.
Analysis Of Short Story 'Boys And Girls' By Alice Munro
1091 Words | 5 PagesThis proved when the narrator’s mother always tried to get the narrator to do work that appropriate for a lady instead of outside work, however it was not something that she enjoyed. The narrator also was not considered of real helper to her father because she was a female. This proved when her father introduced the narrator as ‘his new hired hand’ to a salesman, he replied, “I thought it was only a girl” (line 76, paragraph 10).This shows how the society view girl as ‘just a girl’ at that time and it means that their roles are not really significant in the society. As being said by Alexander Pope (1688-1744), “Most women have no character at all.” (Bressler, C.E., 2011).
The Hunger Games Feminist Analysis
1000 Words | 4 PagesFeminist literary criticism’s primary argument is that female characters have always been presented from a male’s viewpoint. According to Connell, in most literary works, female characters often play minor roles which emphasize their domestic roles, subservience and physical beauty while males are always the protagonists who are strong, heroic and dominant (qtd. in Woloshyn et al.150). This means that the women are perceived as weak and are supposed to be under the control of men. Gill and Sellers say that feminist literary criticism’s approach involves identifying with female characters in order to challenge any male centred outlook.
Our Lady Of Alice Bhatti Analysis
787 Words | 4 PagesWomen have less to say about what they need or want but they have to pay much and also to face the results when the men around them botch. It is dreary to see these frail willed men delineated in the novel who failed to stay up for women, who recognize an overall population where women are set backs of their
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