The Role of Women in Society
← Class Relations in Victorian and early 20th Century Literature | Yellow Wallpaper → |
For many centuries, writers have used literature as a means to explore different topics and issues of social concern. One of such popular themes frequently addressed by the authors is the role of women in society and the household. Traditionally, women were believed to be weaker than men and dominated by them; thus, they tend to be morally superior. Literature used to present women as if their main purpose in life was to take care of the family and run the household. Moreover, women could not benefit from having social rights as they were significantly limited. Consequently, many women writers tried to reconsider the role of a woman. The Yellow Wallpaper, The Story of an Hour, and A Rose for Emily are stories raising the issue of women's struggle against various feminine stereotypes and dogmas established by society.
The author of The Yellow WallpaperCharlotte Perkins Gilman juxtaposes the cultural expectations and thoughts of women by exploring the theme of writing, the feminine stereotype confrontation. In her short story, Gilman brings up the issue by examining society's discouragement of women who yearn for creative self-expression. In order to show the contrast between the traditional role of a woman and the one, which was not adequately perceived by society members, the author presents different examples over the course of the storyline. Gilman depicts two examples of women who perform their traditionally acceptable role. For instance, Jennie, the narrators sister-in-law, is a housekeeper who does not see or yearn for any prospect of a better profession (Perkins, 2009). In other words, the place Jennie occupies is completely appropriate for the domestic sphere and society norms established for the female gender. Moreover, even her name speaks loudly about her character. According to its origin, the name Jennie means a female donkey (Moverbey, 2016). Hence, she always remains in a subservient position in the society and family, strictly following established norms and rules for her gender role. Such a position was normal and typical for women living in the nineteenth century. As a result, the author showed the natural way of a woman's behavior and attitude towards her status in relation to her husband and family.
Charlotte Gilman describes Jennie as an example in order to highlight the degree of opposition compared to the narrator. When the story begins, the narrator shows the norms and rules socially adopted for women including weakness, subordination, and lack of self-confidence. Moreover, it may seem that she also accepts her state of being trapped and oppressed by the opinion of her husband and physician (Perkins, 2009). Thus, the feeling of injustice is enclosed in her mind despite the fact that she is constantly being brainwashed. The house, which might be considered as a secure place for every woman's way of self-expression, is regarded by the narrator as something strange and awful. Hence, here, the house is a symbol, which, on the contrary, encourages the oppression and constant control (Moverbey, 2016). It can be compared to a prison, which keeps all her desires completely locked. Besides, her husband treats her as a child, a little girl, but not as a wife. Consequently, the narrator strives for some change and transformation. She grows as the story progresses and, as a result, the woman moves from the state of submissiveness to the state similar to empowerment. While the story ends, the narrator confronts social norms and begins to write, which helps the woman reveal her feelings and thoughts. Gilman wrote her story in order to draw attention to the fact that there was a need for social reform in regards to the lack of rights and opportunities for women.
Kate Chopin is one more female author who explored the topic of women's emancipation and oppression within the society and family in her story The Story of an Hour. She presents a woman, Louise, who is trapped by her husband and oppressed by different domestic duties so that she cannot do things she really loves or wants to do. As it was aforementioned, women at that time period did not have rights and opportunities, unlike men. They had to run the house and take care of kids. Consequently, Chopin explored in her story one of the most painful themes. In The Story of an Hour, Louise finds it hard to accept her fate and social position. Moreover, she usually dreams of things that are far from her reality. Nevertheless, soon after her dreams come true, she loses everything. From the storyline it is evident that Louise does not appreciate her husband and, on the contrary, wants to release from being under his authority and pressure (Abell, 2016). The marriage of Louise and her husband, Brently, resembled not love but monetary comfort and acceptance where a woman used to play a submissive role. Moreover, when she marries Brently she loses her identity and becomes his property. This fact forces her to think of a better and free life without a husband.
After her husband's presumed death, the woman begins feeling abandoned. This scene also shows the role of a woman in the family. It was common for the man to earn money and pay the bills while the woman was to take care of kids and house, in particular. Consequently, when Brently dies, his wife feels helpless and lost not knowing what to do (Abell, 2016). Nevertheless, such an unpleasant factor does not prevent her from understanding the perspective of being free. Moreover, having been freed from the shackles of her husband, Louise begins feeling really happy. Now, she shall not be forced to listen to a man's orders and can live as she wishes (Chopin, n.d.).
Yet, despite happiness and joy she experiences after the news about her husband's death, Louise struggles with the feeling of guilt. Considering such perspective, the reader can assume that the woman is mistreated in her marriage and, as a result, Brentlys death makes such a strange impression on her. In addition, when Louise sees her husband alive, she immediately realizes that all her dreams about freedom are doomed to failure (Abell, 2016). Consequently, her death can be considered as ultimate freedom from her unhappy marriage and life. Chopin tries to make the readers understand her point of view about the unfair status of a woman in marriage, which plays a role of a cage for her. Many women of the nineteenth century suffered from not only a bad physical condition but also a psychological one due to their unhealthy state of spirit from being oppressed by their husbands.
Not only the female writers explored the theme of feminism and neglect of women's rights but also some male ones, including William Faulkner and his famous story A Rose for Emily. The author presents a storyline appropriate for that period of time. He tells about a woman always being in the shadow of her father (Feminist elements in A Rose for Emily, 2015). Emily is her father's daughter and thus she is oppressed and controlled by him so strictly that the woman feels weird and alone. Her father separates her from others and does not allow her to have any lovers or even a husband even though she is already an old spinster (Faulkner, 1930). Traditionally, during that period, girls were treated suppressive either by their fathers or husbands. Moreover, it may seem from the story that Emily's father continues to control her even after his death. She is used to his abusive behavior so much that when her father dies she cannot believe it and, as a result, she continues to remain controlled by him from beyond the grave. Consequently, Faulkner aims to show that women of the nineteenth century were discriminated against and dominated by men who often were intolerant to them. It was difficult for women like Emily to escape their father's or husband's abuse or mistreatment.
Faulkner does not stop at Emily's father's death, he, on the contrary, develops his idea of male dependence. Emily is deprived by her father of potential women's happiness and love. In addition to this, he does not consider her needs, feelings, and a desire to be treated as a woman, not a little girl. According to the norms of that period, women traditionally did not have their own individualities. Moreover, only men were allowed to decide on sex and other everyday life matters. As a result, when Emily has the opportunity to enter into an affair with a man such behavior is not acceptable by the social rules and norms. Nevertheless, Emily's actions may be regarded as a confrontation against traditional views on women's role and status. She fights against gender limitations put on women by the patriarchal society. Furthermore, society feels the obligation to control Emily's life and actions after her father dies. She is considered to be weak and completely dependent on male support. Besides, people accept her strange actions including an affair with a Yankee, keeping her father's body, and buying poison (Feminist elements in A Rose for Emily, 2015). Such a lenient attitude is evoked due to the fact that a woman without a man is considered to be helpless. Emily is supposed to be unable to properly act in society and remains to be mentally ill. Consequently, Faulkner aimed to show the disadvantages and faults of the society of that time. He showed the actual position of a woman in society and the latter's attitude to her. Every woman was taught to follow the rules established according to the patriarchal principles. As a result, there was a need for some sort of reconstruction and reconsideration of a woman's role in society, which many writers, including William Faulkner, addressed in their works.
In conclusion, there have been many debates about the issue of a woman's role in society. Moreover, for many centuries women were regarded as weak and dependent creatures with no rights and opportunities. Nevertheless, the issue of women's status and the position has been addressed by numerous writers. They aimed to change the society's attitude towards female gender. Such stories as The Yellow Wallpaper, The Story of an Hour, and A Rose for Emily represents the author's perception of a woman's role and willingness to let readers understand the drawbacks and faults of past society system.
Get an Excellent Literature Review Help from our experienced writers!
- Yellow Wallpaper
- Ties That Bind in the Chinese Novel
- Class Relations in Victorian and early 20th Century Literature
- White Noise: Is Honesty the Best Policy?
![]() |
Marcus H.
Eugene, OR
|
|
You’ve done it again! Every time I order a paper from EssaysEmpire.com, you top the last one. This latest one was the best yet. I truly do appreciate the fact that you offer such high quality writing. It never fails. With some of the other writing services online, you ever really know what you are going to get. Sometimes, they just sell you a paper that someone else has already bought. I never have to worry about things like that happening when I use EssaysEmpire.com. |
![]() |
Enrico V.
San Diego, CA
|
|
I was really happy about the speedy turn around time for my paper. It is rare to find a writing service that can write things so quickly without taking away from their quality. Hats off to EssaysEmpire.com! |
![]() |
Mark C.
Mexico City, MX
|
|
Thanks to EssaysEmpire.com, I was able to keep my GPA up and will be graduating soon. I really needed assistance with my writing. I aced everything else, but I have always had problems expressing myself in writing. The writers at EssaysEmpire.com took the ball and ran with it! Because of them, I am going to graduate. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all of the valuable assistance. |
![]() |
Steve P.
Portland, OR
|
|
I am beginning to understand why your writing service was recommended to me so highly. Everything you do is a cut above your competition. You’re really great! |
![]() |
Glen M.
Oakland, CA
|
|
Your writers are awesome! I got an A and two A+’s on the papers that they wrote for me! |
![]() |
Gaia W.
Lexington, OK
|
|
EssaysEmpire.com gets an A+ for being the best writing service a student could ever ask for! Thank you for your continued high quality work, guys. I have purchased 6 papers from you over the last two years and they have been exquisite in their workmanship and content. I really appreciate how hard you guys work to please your customers. I’m not surprised that you are reported to be the best writing company online or off. To me, you are exactly that. |
![]() |
Louise O.
Oakland, CA.
|
|
The A+ that I got on the paper that I ordered from you, helped boost my grade up an entire letter grade! Thanks, EssaysEmpire.com! |
![]() |
Hillary M.
Santa Cruz, CA
|
|
I received 100 points out of a possible 100 for the paper that you wrote for me. |
![]() |
John G.
Erie, PA
|
|
Thanks goes out to the writers who presented me with the best paper I have ever turned in. My professor was so impressed with it that he took excerpts from it to put in his class handouts on how to write the perfect paper. EssaysEmpire.com, you made me one proud student today! |
![]() |
Willow P.
Park City, UT
|
|
You guys do top-notch work. Time after time, I have had to rely on your help and I can say honestly that you have never let me down. Thank you so much for coming through for me every time. I am not a good writer. I try. I study hard, but when I need help, you are always there to give it to me at an affordable price. |
![]() |
Celine H.
Calistoga, CA
|
|
Thanks for doing a great job on a paper that was an important part of my semester. You guys rock! |
![]() |
Beverly S.
Cambridge, MA
|
|
I appreciate the help your wring service gave me with my biology paper. I have never cared much for biology. It is a tough subject for me to grasp. This is why I needed so much help with my paper. The writer absolutely understood the whole topic and turned out work that would have made anyone proud. Thanks a million for the great paper. |
![]() |
Kathy M.
Las Cruces, NM
|
|
To EssaysEmpire.com: Thank you for my outstanding paper. When I read it, I knew that I would get an A+ on it. Also, thanks for adding all of the pertinent details that I asked you to customize. You did a brilliant job. Just brilliant. |
![]() |
Glynnis H.
Ft. Smith, AR
|
|
Hello! I just had to stop what I was doing to let you know how grateful I am that I found your excellent writing service. I have had to use you three times now, and each time, I have been 100% satisfied with the work that you did. Your writers are absolutely outstanding. I am very, very happy with everything you have written for me. |
![]() |
Grace T.
Purcell, OK
|
|
Thank you for assuring that only the best writers work for you. It doesn’t matter which writer has been assigned to my projects since I started using your services. Every time I get a paper written, it is perfect. |
![]() |
Stephanie K.
Stowe, VT
|
|
Dear Sirs: Just a quick note to let you know that I appreciate your working on my paper so quickly. I did get it in time to turn it in for the deadline, even though I hadn’t given you much notice. I made a very good grade on it and was much relieved. Thanks again. You rock. |
![]() |
Lonnie K.
Falcon Crest, MA
|
|
I work very long hours. Therefore, I sometimes run behind in my school assignments. This is especially true for the long written assignments. It is so great to know that I can always count on EssaysEmpire.com to help me out. The papers that I buy from you are excellent, without fail. I really appreciate your help . Thanks for everything. |
![]() |
Shirley R.
Casper, WY
|
|
I would be honored to recommend your writing service to all of my friends. I don’t usually recommend anything unless I truly believe it to be a good thing. EssaysEmpire.com is a good thing! |
![]() |
Maddie P.
Seattle, WA
|
|
The EssaysEmpire.com website is so great! There are no mysteries to be solved. They give you the full layout about what they have to offer and how much it costs. No surprises. I had a couple of questions about the different options and their customer service rep was so friendly! She answered all my questions. I ordered my first paper and it was so well written that I got an A+ on it! Thank you, EssaysEmpire.com! |
![]() |
Judy C.
Bolingbrook, IL
|
|
I have used EssaysEmpire.com for two years now, and I wouldn’t even consider trying another writing service. I am convinced that there is no other service as good as EssaysEmpire.com, and I only want to work with the best. EssaysEmpire.com has given me well written papers that have come in well before their deadlines, every time. I am happy with EssaysEmpire.com and commit to sticking with them. |