Th The Bell Jar Analysis

In the nineteenth century, woman had no power over men in society. They were limited in their freedom, as their lives were controlled by their husbands. Some women did not mind this lifestyle, and remained obedient, while some rebelled and demanded their rights. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, are short stories that exposes the lifestyle women lived in the nineteenth century. The protagonists from both stories, Jane and Georgiana, similarly lived a male dominated lifestyle. Although both Georgiana and Jane lived the same era, in which their husbands dominated them, their behaviors, social reputation, and tolerance differed.

oppression is practiced in the society and how the women in these novels overcame the

In nearly all historical societies, sexism was prevalent. Power struggles between genders mostly ended in men being the dominant force in society, leaving women on a lower rung of the social ladder. However, this does not always mean that women have a harder existence in society. Scott Russell Sanders faces a moral dilemma in “The Men We Carry in Our Minds.” In the beginning, Sanders feels that women have a harder time in society today than men do. As the story progresses, he begins to understand why he thinks in the manner that he does. Sanders does an excellent job of showing how his thinking changes as the text progresses. He does this through his brilliant use of interior monologue and personal anecdotes.

As a girl today, I am well aware of the adversities for women in the world. Inequalities in our society are undeniable, but we focus on our own lives rather than women’s lives in the horrific world of human trafficking. The novel Sold by Patricia McCormick explores this terrible world and its implications. McCormick has experience with this world through extensive research and time spent among third world country red light districts. Reading this text, I began to think about gender and its large role on society. More specifically, gender’s role on women and their positions in the world. Being a young woman, I fall into the intended audience of the book. The rhetoric in the book appeals to the young girls around the same age of the main character

The novel Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta and the magazine article, The Good Wife’s Guide, originally published in ‘Housekeeping Monthly’ in 1955, explore the gender roles of the stereotypical 1950’s housewife and how they should behave. These texts also investigate the idea that women are treated differently from men and some impacts that growing up in a sexist and single minded society can have on the youth of the community. Gender stereotyping someone is to discriminate them because of their gender, making the assumption that they obtain a certain characteristic or trait because of their gender.

The Grapes of Wrath written by John Steinbeck reveals the gender roles and culture of its time. In the 20th century, feminism became more common as the patriarchal society evolved. Resultantly, Ma’s position in the Joad family changes throughout the novel and we see her gaining more power. However, due to the previous societal roles, Ma is restricted in how and when she can accept the role of leader. Ma shows her powerful leadership qualities only when dealing with issues of her own gender. Although Ma’s actions give the illusion that females in the novel are ascending to more conspicuous and regarded positions, it is the belief of Ma’s assertions that demonstrates that females rise in power only when they are protecting their own oppression.

While reading The Bell Jar, a semi-autobiographical novel written by Sylvia Plath, interpretations towards the main character, Esther, were made. Although Esther is diagnosed with depression, she does not seek help. Esther does not want a normal life. The life Esther lives is controlled by her mind, and her mind refuses to believe that there is happiness in the world. Esther does not renege on her beliefs and continues to believe that there is no good left in the world without any will to change that Everything seemed upsetting in Esther’s eyes. Esther had not seeked any help alone, which proves that she never wanted a normal life, but she needed one to survive instead. Death was beautiful

How does this all relate to modern day issues? While the aforementioned essay within her book was not necessarily written all too long ago, feminism has changed and adapted to fit in with younger generations. As of right now feminism is currently quite the hot topic throughout the media in both western regions as well as more conservative regions. Oppression continues to remain hidden within “chivalrous” behaviors and ideals as presented by male dominated institutions that attempt to make decisions on behalf of women. Take for example, the war on Planned Parenthood and female healthcare. Currently, the women’s healthcare organization, Planned Parenthood has been within the eye of the media and the talk of the politicians for its practices, mainly concerning abortions procedures performed within these facilities.

Throughout history, the equality of women to men has been regarded as a social taboo. It was a universal understanding that women were always subordinate to their dominant males. Pre Modern Greece expressed these views through their social expectations, hierarchical structures and general lack of acceptance. This ubiquitous truth for this society was challenged in Homer’s The Odyssey, with his strongly developed and diverse female cast. Each female character possesses a unique personality and faced internal as well as external struggles that rivals the complexity of the male characters. Despite the inequity that these females face, they overcome it by showing themselves to be strong in the face of adversity and work to be unmoved by even the

Women’s place and role in the society is something that has been discussed and changed over time. Should their rights be the same as men’s? Should they be superior? Inferior? The world faces a dilemma on weather they should be or not equal as men. It seems like we arrived at a deadlock, where no progress can be made about it. We still have feminists fighting for their rights, but I doesn’t seem to work that much, although they have much more rights than they had fifty years ago. But the question that remains is: what is women’s and men’s role?

Marie Jenney Howe provides a monologue ridiculing anti-suffragists. Howe begins by stating a common shared thought all suffragist have: woman suffrage is unnatural. Howe begins ridiculing anti-suffragists by stating how it should be unheard of that there should be equality between the genders. It would irrational and a difficult concept to explain to children. Howe uses a satirized tone to mock the logic as to why women should be prevented from voting. The reasons given are illogical and conflicting with one another, therefore, Howe prompts you to choose one. The first reason as to why women should not be enfranchised: Women would not vote or would not leave the polls. Howe argues that women have no interest in voting and if given the right they would not partake in the elections. She also argues that women would forget their “civic duties” as a wife and abandon their home to partake in the elections. The second reason: women would vote for the same candidate as their husband or vote for the opposing party. Howe states that this would make enfranchising women pointless. If women vote for the same candidate as their

The role of a woman in society has always fit into a perfect box. Women were expected to be the dutiful wife, loving mother and housekeeper for her family. Betty Friedan wrote The Feminine Mystique, in 1963 hoping to unveil the truth behind women’s thoughts about their role in society. Friedan exposed that things were not always, as they seemed for the average mother and homemaker in the 1950s and 1960s. Kate Chopin wrote The Awakening in the 1850’s which told the story of Edna Pontillier and her struggles as a housewife and finding her true identity. These two literary works captured how women really felt about their everyday lives. They displayed that women were often unhappy and felt unfulfilled regardless that they were living the lifestyle

The idea of social convention, ‘the way in which something is usually done in mass similarity’, is one of the most prominent ways in which Plath depicts female entrapment within her novel. The entire novel revolves around a woman 's battle with herself and the life she wishes for herself. The social convention aspect is all in all a synonym for what society expects of us. What society expects of an individual.

Throughout history, women have been locked in a struggle to free themselves from the borderline that separates and differentiate themselves from men. In many circles, it is agreed that the battleground for this struggle and fight exists in literature. In a

This thesis consists of Hanif’s portrait of women and their marginalized positions in the society and economic, social and religious pride and prejudices towards women in Pakistani society which is an important theme of his novels. He belongs to those who are proof of that some people can tell the truth more comprehensively and authentically with fiction than facts. In his second novel Our Lady of Alice Bhatti (2012), he discusses the battle and determination of a woman fitting in with minority goes out in a patriarchal society and endures accordingly.