‘Women are the subtler sex: more varied in their attractions, more ingenious in their stratagems.’ In light of this view, discuss ways in which Webster presents women in the ‘White Devil’. Bartholomew Scholefield At first the audience is led to believe that all women in the ‘White Devil’ will epitomise the contemporary role of the subservient, Jacobean woman. From the beginning it is clear to see that men hold all the power and women are viewed as merely desirable, indeed Flamineo uses his own sister’s sexuality only in order to advance his social status in the patriarchal society of the time. This view of women as beneath men is ingrained so deeply into the psyche that even the majority of women themselves believe it, Cornelia, the mother of Flamineo and Vittoria is outraged to discover the plans her son has for her daughter but it is not the nature of the deed that Flamineo commits that angers her rather that Vittoria would break the ‘rules’ of society by causing “dishonour” to her family and her husband, she does not care about Vittoria’s happiness but her social standing and reputation. However, the idea of women being unequal to men is quickly dispelled by Webster who appears to mock the misogynistic characters of the play and indeed, very possibly the misogyny of society as a whole at the time.
Austen reveals Elizabeth’s character as an example about how she wanted to have her own self independence during that time period. Elizabeth is very out spoken for a young lady as herself, most of the ladies during that time period wasn’t fond of Elizabeth and her wild manner, as she wasn’t fond of people in the upper class behavior towards those in a different class. Mr. Darcy in the beginning of the novel was referred as a “bitterness of spirit...and shockingly [rude]”pg. 15 chapter 3. Mrs. Bennet thinks “[Elizabeth] does not lose much suiting his fancy; for he is a most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing” pg.
Critical Review Marlene Goldman’s review of “Fifth Business” was very effective. In her piece called “Madness, Masculinity, and Magic in Robertson Davies’ “Fifth Business”: A Tale of Hysteria; or, “the Suffocation of the Mother” she focuses on clearly explaining the themes of madness, hysteria and masculinity throughout the book with evidence from the novel to support her arguments. Goldman’s article focuses on the central themes of madness, hysteria and masculinity in “Fifth Business”. She argues that “women edge towards madness when they fail to balance the roles of true women and ideal mother”, referring to Mrs. Dempster and Mrs. Ramsay. She states that Dunstan’s masculinity is shaped by his experiences in the war and is secured by his heterosexuality.
Further, the 1996 film The Portrait of a lady (Portrait) about a woman’s desperate choice between her autonomous, love-driven spirit and the demands of social convention encapsulates these paradigms and the struggle of women in expressing themselves. In the Victorian context, common in the literature of many was the veneer of morality that shadowed the voluptuous inner feelings of people at the time. Browning’s ‘Meeting’ is clearly indicative of the shattering of this patina and the notion of strong desire that could not be suppressed. The use of succinct sentences, “A tap at the pane, the quick sharp scratch” helps to create a sense of excitement in the reader and reveal
Mariah Polen Cooper—379 ENG 111-41F—JE #1 5 September 2012 Themes and Symbols In Kate Chopin’s story, “The Storm,” sex plays a crucial part. Well, to be more specific, adultery. She uses this story as a platform to further her opinion on sexuality and marriage. Chopin believes that marriage is constricting to both people and that there is nothing wrong or untraditional with having verboten sexual encounters. Women in the 1800’s were dominated by their husbands and expected to be submissive in every way.
Ultimately, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth differ in their drive but Lady Macbeth's asserts herself meaining Macbeth takes a back seat and complete's all of her wishes. To conclude, drive seperates the two characters but Lady Macbeths ambitions motivate and control Macbeth throughout the play. In summary, in The Tragedy of Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare Macbeth and Lady Macbeth differ in their personalities and drive. Both often share the same idea but Lady Macbeth constantly asserts her ideas while Macbeth listens and honestly never states his true feelings. Badstibner
This is the first time we see where the power lies, and this dynamic proves that it resides with Lady Macbeth; she's the one that's controlling things, despite the times. One prime example of Lady Macbeth's manipulations is seen where she mocks Macbeth as he resolves not to commit regicide, claiming that he'll only be a man when the crime is committed. (Act 1.7.49). The play sets it out so that Lady Macbeth is the perceived symbol of
If Maupassant’s story “The Necklace” had been poorly written, it could easily have shown Mathilde quickly as only vain and superficial. But all writers must make us feel for their central characters if their stories are to be successful. Analyze Mathilde, her husband and any other secondary characters in the story and develop an argument that explains how Maupassant forces us to care about what happens to Mathilde. Guy de Maupassant's short story "The Necklace" tells of a vain, narcissistic middle-class housewife who longed for the aristocratic lifestyle that she believed she deserved. In describing Mathilde's callous self-centeredness in preparing for the party to which she and her husband were invited, as well as her reaction to losing what she thought was an expensive necklace she borrowed, de Maupassant incorporates a tragic irony that makes this story a timeless classic.
Churchill’s lead character in the play is paradoxically a female misogynist who takes on a stereotypically male business persona who climbs to the top of the corporate ladder. Churchill also offers an interesting take on female pageantry, Post-Feminism of the 1980s, the “New Wave” of Feminism, and English feminism and capitalism under Margaret Thatcher’s rule, as well as family values and the ease and ability to climb the corporate ladder with a child. Churchill has openly acknowledged that Margaret Thatcher’s rise to the position of British primeminster was an important inspiration for writing Top Girls. Churchill is deeply interested in feminism and the constant consequences of the women’s liberation movement. There was a certain irony in Margaret Thatcher’s ascent to power in the wake of feminism, since Thatcher’s policies were deeply conservative and anti-feminist.
Emilia is Desdemona’s maid and she has a mind of her own. Through discussions she has with Desdemona the reader can concur that she will do anything necessary to get to the top even if that is sleeping around. She also says in one of her and Desdemona’s conversations that women only cheat because men have taught them to do so by neglecting them and fraternizing with other women. Emilia is a woman who although different from Desdemona is not all bad. She is as duped by her husband, Iago, as much as the rest of the cast and she tries to amend her wrongdoings in the end by telling the truth to Othello although she is too late to save her mistress, Desdemona.