Theme Analysis of Renée Ahdieh’s Flame in the Mist
“She’d fought off her assailant. And in doing so, she’d displayed one of the seven virtues of bushidō: Courage.” (Ahdieh 38) The fantasy novel Flame in the Mist by Renée Ahdieh dives deep into a world of mystery, war, love, deception, and especially courage. As the novel unfolds, one will notice that the author addresses an important current world issue- feminism. Mariko is the oppressed daughter of a renowned samurai. Her whole life, she has known that she is different from the other girls- that she is meant for something greater than blushing and wearing pretty dresses. When Mariko’s carriage is attacked on the way to her own wedding, she gets the chance to escape her chains and forge her own
…show more content…
In an effort to find out who tried to murder her, Mariko infiltrates the Black Clan- dressed as a man. Throughout the story, Mariko must discover that she is more than what she has been told. Set back in a time more than three-hundred years in the past, the reader goes on a journey of self-revelation with the main character, while the plot leaves them asking one question: Even in our modern world today, how much of a part does gender roles play in our society? Ahdieh resonates with her readers of Flame in the Mist when she reveals that one must have the courage to break gender roles that are created by society. The main character’s courage to break the gender roles of her time first reveals itself when she kills a vagrant attacker. After her kill, Mariko recalls how she has used one of the seven principles of bushidō: “She’d fought off her assailant. And in doing so, she’d displayed one of the seven virtues of bushidō: Courage. The way of the warrior” (Ahdieh 38). The kill itself is a large step
How would a 12 year old boy who watched his family die around him be able to escape the extermination of his kind? The novel Forgotten Fire is a compelling historical fiction book written by Adam Bagdasarian. This book follows the journey of Vahan Kenderian as he tries to survive the Armenian genocide. Vahan watches the world he knew collapse around him as he watches those he grew to care about leave him, by death or not. During his time the young boy meets many people that affect him for the rest of his life.
Shori is discriminated against by the Ina’s because of the color of her skin. Her point of view shows us how hurtful this is to her, but also how she overcomes this. Shori is a strong woman and leader, and defies female gender discrimination. The novel gives us a view of her quick thinking and impulsive actions through her narration. Additionally, Shori and her symbionts explore polygamy and homosexuality.
In the end her push for equality’s of gender, causes her to be sent to death by the male figure she
The novel “The Diviners”, written by Margaret Laurence follows Morag, a strong female character, who breaks most stereotypes set for women. As child, it is clear that Morag is in no need for masculine protection as Morag says, “If it comes to a fight, she doesn’t need to fight like girl, scratching with her fingernails. She slugs with her closed fist.” (Laurence 70). Even at a young, Morag establishes her independence and defies the stereotype of the weak female, which is depicted in the novel by her friend Eva.
Baker’s children unknowingly unravel and explain the complexities of: feminism, fate, existentialism, and east and west culture. In the opening paragraph of the essay by will Baker the word “Feminism” can be viewed in bold at the top. One may ask how a child
Throughout history, women have made a name for themselves. By rising up and fighting for something that they believed in, the Mirabal sisters made a name for themselves in the Dominican Republic and in Julia Alvarez’s novel In the Time of the Butterflies. By applying a theory to a novel, readers can relate the book to the world they are living in today (Davidson). Feminism can be defined as a dynamic philosophy and social movement that advocates for human rights and gender equality (“Feminism”). Feminist Theory involves looking at how women in novels are portrayed, how female characters are reinforcing stereotypes or undermining them, and the challenges that female characters face (Davidson).
In each woman’s encounter with their personal challenge, this goal is expressed in a form specific to them. Audiences see this interest of reaching equal status conveyed through the work and intentions the women produce. The female characters present a side to themselves that, at times, switch the gender roles their society is accustomed to. At other points, women’s abilities to lead in times of distress or confusion establish themselves as the same types of leaders that society grows to associate with men. Finally, the female character’s voicing of society’s unjust contradictory standards for women furthers paints the idea of a movement towards equality.
In the progressive modern world, the ancient mindset of men’s superiority exists in many societies. Women who are opposed to such ideology are, in some cases, perceived as rebellious when words such as feminism has come to acknowledgement for over a century. Through the struggles that the characters of A Thousand Splendid Suns faced in the patriarchal Afghani culture, Khaled Hosseini delivers his feminist ideas. For her whole life, Nana endured the troubles given by men, and she is one of the “fallen female warrior” of the novel because she fought against the oppression and lost, due to the unfortunate circumstances of her life. Mariam also suffered the torments imposed on her by the men in her life, sharing a similar fate as her mother, Nana, in a way.
Repaying debts, justice, friendship, charity, contests, the mixing of classes and good versus evil are important themes in A Gest of Robyn Hode. A lot of debts are repaid in A Gest of Robyn Hood, like the one the knight at the beginning of the story has to pay back to Saint Mary’s Abbey. At first, he is unable but willing to pay back, but when Robyn lends him money, he does pay the abbey. Later on, he has to pay Robyn back and does this generously, by not only giving him the required money, but crafting him nice bows and arrows as well.
Literary Analysis Suspense. It's what makes us sit on the edge of our seats at movies, or has us biting our nails as we read. It’s the backbone behind any classic horror film where the babysitter keeps getting unknown phone calls about checking the children and she asks the police to trace the call only to get a call back saying it's coming from upstairs.
The audience is presented with a black and white illustration which indicates sorrow or unhappiness. The main character is introduced to a political transformation as her female classmates are required to wear a veil which segregates the children by gender. The veil or hijab symbolizes the community and political variations that reformed the protagonist’s forthcoming. The student writer comprehends major vagaries to females however,
Can Societal Gender Roles Limit an Individual? A man is supposed to be strong, powerful, and well respected. What if all genders were seen in the same light? In most societies, past and present, men are viewed as the dominant gender.
In the Ibo hierarchal society, women are the subject of unequal treatment and patronization. They are considered weak and are not given any power. As the novel, Things Fall Apart unravels, the author, Chinua Achebe reveals the distinct attributes of femininity. Feminine traits are also viewed with disdain in Umuofian society, especially by the protagonist of the novel, Okonkwo. His past experiences shape his disposition and give rise to his stereotypical mentality; however, several events contradict the prevalent perspective of women, leading to Okonkwo facing conflicts within himself.
Rebecca West once said, “I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat”; feminism and other social issues are fundamental to literature, with them commonly being a driving force behind both modern and classic works of fiction. Feminism is everywhere, with women still fighting for gender equality in modern day Britain as demonstrated through Emma Watson’s United Nations speech which was broadcasted in September of 2014 where she differentiates feminism from ‘man-hating’. Feminism has developed considerably over time as general attitudes have been swayed through literature, political movements and women’s portrayal of themselves. In 1847, Charlotte Bronte released her novel ‘Jane Eyre’ which was viewed as very radical for its time as Bronte uses Jane to exhibit her resentment towards society. Jane is presented as a morally strong, determined character who, when she falls in love, embraces the notion instead of the label and profits which are associated with it; she states that she “cares for [her]self” and that “more unsustained [she is], the more [she] will respect [her]self” as she is not tempted away from her self-respect.
This novel is also autobiographical. 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