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Mademoiselle Reisz Essay

500 Words2 Pages

Being a woman in the 1700s, it is your duty in society to be a good wife and mother to your family, however since Mademoiselle Reisz does not have a family of her own she chooses to follow her passion, being an artist. This becomes her only responsibility, since she is an artist she "must possess the courageous soul that dares and defies" (139). It takes true courage for her to follow her passion of being a pianist, women of this time are looked down upon for not being a mother or wife. Mademoiselle Reisz finds more importance in being true to herself and her passions rather than the passions society wants for her.

While her reasons for courage are based on the time period this story takes place, there are still woman today who receive scrutiny for not having children or not wanting to get married.It is the ideal that has been passed on from generation to generation that a women must have a family in order to be perceived as successful, yet Mademoiselle Reisz "found it good to dream and to be alone and unmolested" (80). Mademoiselle Reisz's character represents woman who feel as though they are meant for much more than the title wife and mother. …show more content…

the artist must possess the courageous soul" (86). However, had this story been taken place today it is unclear whether Mademoiselle would still feel she must be a courageous soul "that dares and defies" (86). There are many more woman, and men today that find themselves not wanting a family or wanting to wait to have a family until they have accomplished all their goals. These people today still get criticized just as Mademoiselle Reisz did, there are always people like Adele who feel different about becoming a mother and wife, and it is them who pass on their ideals towards their children and so

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