Especially when she reminisces in the final stanza about the time she was young and beautiful, illustrating her complete lack of confidence. Nevertheless, she is still presented as a foul character who threatens the reader, with the line ‘Be terrified’. The poem also ends with the line ‘Look at me now’ which has a double entendre (double meaning). It could be read as a cry of despair or, as a threat – if you did look at Medusa you would die! This leaves the reader feeling conflicting emotions for the character, probably similar to how Medusa herself feels in the poem.
Though, when actually examined, the females portrayed in both literary works do show signs of bravery and rebellious spirit, which represents the actual mind of authors, they are still oppressed by the patriarchal society to a large extent. In Frankenstein, superficially, most female characters are portrayed as “heaven-sent” angels (Shelley, 34). The soul of them is like “a shrine-dedicated lamp” and they are “the living spirits of love to soften and attract” (38), which are fully consistent with the image of women in people’s minds in mainstream society in the 19th century (Sunstein, 4). Nonetheless, the weaknesses of them, which are used by the author to criticize the unfairness of the society, cannot be neglected. The two main female characters in Frankenstein: Caroline and Elizabeth are carefully analyzed in this essay, and from Frankenstein’s narration of them, we can see the author’s deep thinking and criticism about the unfairness of society.
Furthermore, when we see into her dream, we see that she has dreams of being something more than she is, she wishes for grandeur, but she also wishes for the Vicar, and here is where we see the crux of the poem. As soon as her sexual desires for the Vicar become apparent in the poem, we see her dream begin to morph into something more sinister. The very obvious, almost crude sexual metaphor of the 'lowered horn' causes Miss Gee to repress her feelings in fear, represented by 'that back-pedal brake'. This idea of repression then repeatedly appears throughout the rest of the poem, through the use of
As if you were able to stop them! I like this quotes in particular as I feel it sums up blanches haunted and complex feelings in this scene, as it appears as something she is. Infect just saying to herself, it's quite a way through the monolouge when, she's "really got into it" (her spiralling pity, a little exaggerated and theatrical) this quotes also seems particularly haunting as if she's re, in acting/remembering her exact thoughts at the time, that someone said this too her and shows us Her confusion/vulnerability/ helplessness her feelings of uselessness and incompetence in that situation and her lack of control which contrasts with her manner of manipulation and managing everyone around
Though she remains strong and has the will power to move forward, these people have committed some kind of permanent damage, not to her, but to her reputation. This part of the poem is very motivational. Angelou continues with confidence, and somewhat sarcasm by asking her reader a question, “ Does my sassiness upset you?” “Why are you beset with gloom?” Angelou is asking her reader why does my confidence bother you so much? Why does my strength bother you? Why are you surrounded with so many negative thoughts?
Jane Eyre voices strong opinions on; women’s rights, class and property, religious sincerity, love and justice. Brontë’s scrutiny of these topics relates flaws in each, despite the appearances of some. The novel is subtly humiliating towards males, displaying them a insincere. These flaws are demonstrated through…; consistent character action, The narration from a woman’s point of view establishes a strong voice for women rights, or lack thereof. At the commencement of the novel, Jane’s character is “… a picture of passion!” (pg7, Jane Eyre), when she rebels against harsh treatment at the hands of her cousin John.
Though feminists are an intently focused group of people, advocating for women’s rights; that does not mean that all feminists interpret things the same way. The way Poe writes his poetry, consistently killing a beautiful woman’ is taken as a compliment by some because it shows how she is always on his mind, and yet to others, it is an insult because the repeated killing of the girl seems disrespectful. Looking at this from a feminist’s point of view, you can draw a few conclusions: the first of which being female liberation, another being female power, and the final one being the oppression of females in society. Some believe that Poe is trying to liberate Poe Girl through his poetry. The continuous dying of Poe Girl in his poems represents Poe Girl being freed, allowing the release of her spirit.
Bradstreet also shows her insecurity when she says, “Nor can I, like that fluent sweet tongued Greek” (129). Lee Oser believes that she lingered over the Greek’s traditions on natural beauty (194). Although Bradstreet has great dreams, she knows her limits as a woman and is left only to dream. Bradstreet soon becomes depressed and grows angry at her state in society, because of envy and her continuous dreaming. John Winthrop says, “God Almighty hath so disposed of the condition of mankind” (107).
It is commonly believed that in the ancient time, women suffered from the prejudice that they were inferior and should be controlled and shaped by men. With the resurgence of self-awareness and enhancement of feminism, women have been increasingly independent and eager to assert themselves physically and mentally. Whereas, admittedly, their fragile and instinct side is indispensable with no exception to all human beings, which, in comparison with men, they hold more stress from the whole society and individual. Sylvia Plath's poems, Child and Mirror, are exuberant in feeling and thinking and represent women's deep disappointment by vivid and detailed description. Sylvia Plath's Child depicts her disappointing emotional statement owing to the world in which her child is being raised, and radically it derives from her instinct and affection as a mother.
The final line “Who could not say, ‘Tis pity she’s a whore?” can be seen as directed towards her and so she is blamed for everything that has occurred. Throughout the play she is seen as quite powerful and headstrong by refusing many marriage proposals and being quite stubborn in doing so. However, she is reduced to a weak being however upon dying which is a culmination of her passions. It is perceived that women are a danger to men and to society as a whole and so Giovanni’s actions are to be blamed not on himself, but on Annabella because of the beauty she possesses. Giovanni states that Annabella’s “lips would tempt a saint” thus showing the corruption her presence inflicts upon even the supposed innocent of men.