In 'othello', The way the three women (Bianca, emilia and Desdemona) are depicted represent the ideal expectations of women in Elizabethan society. From a feminist perspective we can gather knowledgeable aspects of textual evidence that represent hints of struggles. Iago's belief for the suspected act of adultery and desire for revenge creates an apt example of his view of women; women are mere possessions. In (II.1.290), the feelings between Iago, emilia and Desdemona are dismissed and ignored. This creates a potential struggle to men not only for the balance of good and evil but also the ideology of sanity.
In 1894, the roles and stereotypical qualities of women were different than those of today. In “The Story of an Hour,” Kate Chopin uses Mrs. Mallard’s reaction of joy towards newfound freedom, solitude, and intelligence to overcome the qualities of the typical woman in 1894. By showing Mrs. Mallard’s joy of new freedom and the lack of love in her marriage, Chopin shows the ordeals of wronged womanhood. With analysis it is clear that these items are placed to show the low amount of freedom in 1894, and that women married for stability, not love. In 1894, the attributes of a woman included gentleness, empathy, and sensitivity, therefore creating a weak sense of self.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh is one of Austen’s background characters in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ but her role and presence in the novel shouldn’t be underestimated; her interactions provide us with entertainment, frustration, exposes aspects to main characters we would otherwise not see, and importantly, is the unknowing catalyst that finally brings closure to the love story between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy. We are first introduced to “her Ladyship” through the comical and ridiculous Mr Collins, who has the utmost reverence and respect, and slightly deluded admiration for his patroness. During his visit to Longbourn he conjures up an image of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by his continual reference to her greatness and comparisons to her décor. Although the readers instinct is that this is not a character who we will come to love let alone like, leeway is initially given to judgment due to Mr Collins’ character alone. Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a wealthy and domineering woman who is conveniently Mr Darcy’s aunt.
This enforces the idea that unlike Lennie, she is a complex character in the novel. Steinbeck mentioned that Curley’s wife’s voice had a “nasal, brittle quality” which is a clear sign of her flirtatious behaviour. Although her intentions were flirty, the fact that it was described as ‘nasal’ by the author made it obvious that it was unpleasant to the ears. The reaction from George made it clear to the reader that she was an attractive woman, however he was being apprehensive as he “looked away from her and then back”. This contrasts with Lennies reaction as his “eyes moved down over her body” blatantly checking her out.
Beauvoir’s analysis of love is ultimately the comparison of the two genders. Within the differences of the genders authentic and in inauthentic love. De Beauvoir labels her theories on two forms of love. Inauthentic love, she believes that love is used as a liberator, where the woman takes pride in her matters over the one she loves (2010). Her love is inauthentic in the way she loves, due to viewing her lover, being godlike, this is inauthentic in the sense that no man is godlike.
Instead, Anne wanted something more, something that made her feel like she fulfilled her role in society as a whole; not just the woman’s society. Anne Bradstreet in the “Prologue” strongly expresses her feelings about being a Puritan woman, and suggests that since she is a woman her mere existence is worthless. Contributing to her feeling of worthlessness is Bradstreet’s envious spirit. Guillaume du Bartas was a French writer admired by all Puritans. Bradstreet desired for Puritans to admire her writings as they do Guillaume du Bartas.
He made her feel as if she was independent in her thinking, when he was merely giving her options that he approved of. The way Janie’s character in relation to Tea Cake was in my opinion weak. It puts women in a position that will allow women to be taken advantage off by sweet-talking us into thinking they are doing the perfect things because they are treating us they way we want to be treated. It gives of the notion that women will do whatever men want as long as we are treated like women. To answer the question, is this a feminist text, I would say that it is.
The Role of Women in Lanval By: Nikole Smith 5/2/2012 Prof. Howard Canaan. In the story Lanval the author Marie de France’s describes the roles of women to be very stereotypical. These gender stereotypes are actually considered to be harmful, as well as degrading; some example of these gender stereotypes would include: “The fairy appearance in court, the old temptress queen, and Lanval’s lover. According to carlavangrove.com” Women is described as “sexy objects and beautiful maidens in distress, as well as obedient to men and their bodies are their best feature.” (http://carlavangrove.wordpress.com) Some example of this quote would be: “Their clothes were in expensive taste, close-fitting tunics, tightly laced, made up in deep-dyed purple wool.” (Norton P.143) Another example is “My lady, sir Lanval who is so free, beautiful, wise, and praise worthy ordered us to come for you. For she herself has come here too.
Although Rousseau states that these characteristics of a girl’s behavior, such as being timid, weak, etc., are natural, he also notes that women have to actively employ these traits manipulatively in order to remain appealing to man and thus continue service to him. The contortion of character that women have to perform in order to encourage masculine qualities in men
Her actions were not intentional; she was simply trying to satisfy the Duke whatever which way she possibly could. For example the Duke says: “such stuff /was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough/ for calling up that spot of joy” (19-21). Even though the Duke implies that she enjoyed the company of other men and says that she was an unfaithful spouse, his