Role Of Women In Literature

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WOMEN TOO ROCK THE WORLD SAPNA. V Assistant Professor of English, CMS College of Science & Commerce, Coimbatore, India sapnamanickoth@gmail.com ABSTRACT Women are not only known for their beauty but also for their divinity, endurance, sacrifice, love, affection etc. Literature has also presented woman optimistically. After the First World War, women took new roles outside of the house. But still they kept their roles at home. St. John Ervine, an Irish writer through his play “Progress” portrayed Mrs. Meldon as an energetic patriotic lady. He presented his play realistically and his plot was laid out of the society which he lived. Mr. Meldon cares about her family as…show more content…
Literature is a picture, more or less true, more or less inspiring, of actual life. Every country has its own literature which mirrors life. Women have been represented by several legends, mythology, history or traditions as a divine, self sacrificing and self enduring character. St. John Ervine, an Irish playwright projects the aftermath of the First World War through his character Mrs. Meldon in his One Act Play “Progress”. He presents Mrs. Meldon as an energetic, brave, passionate, a bereaved widow and mother. Ervine’s plays and his characters are not mere exaggerations. They present the contemporary society of his age. Alfred Lord Tennyson in his long narrative poem “Princess” stresses the importance of family and image of motherhood: Man for the field and women for the…show more content…
Hence motherhood is considered divine. “Mothering behaviour is not very different from Feminine behaviour”. Her love is selfless and unconditional and she sacrifices her personal desires for her family and child. Mother’s love to her child is like a flow of stream. In this play “Progress”, the true mother’s care and love is expressed through the protagonist Mrs. Meldon. Ervine’s play “Progress” an anti-war play and it presents the crudeness of First World War and its aftermath. There are three characters in this play, Professor Henry Corrie, Mrs. Meldon, and Hannah (servant–maid). Throughout the play professor is busy with his formulae and experiments. As he is engaged with his new invention he forgets the rest of the world. He forgets to bring his sister Mrs. Meldon from the station. Even before Mrs. Meldon appears on the stage, she is said to be mourning. Mrs. Meldon is a sensitive looking widow and she is suffering deeply from her memories. She is the victim of adverse circumstances. Mrs. Meldon role starts from the second scene when she returns from a long journey and her brother, Professor Corrie, does not receive her at the station. She is dressed in black clothes partly because she is a widow and mainly because it is the third death anniversary of
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