Nero’s power and strength derived from his mother, Agrippina the Younger. At the beginning of his rule Agrippina acted as a regent, taking control of many aspects of the empire. She manipulated Nero so much that she in essence ran the empire from behind the scenes. Her constant predilection for manipulation eventually causing her son’s rebellion and possible madness as he began to despise her, giving way to her fall of power and ultimately her death. In the words of Tacitus, “she could give her son the empire, but not endure him as emperor”.
Romm concluded that even though Agrippina may have been manipulative and ambitious she was still able to achieve what women of the era could not. The write Cat Pierro’s argues that Agrippina the Younger’s life is one that is full of mistakes, the largest of which was giving birth Nero. Pierro interpretation of Agrippina is that she was an Austere , arrogant woman that would use her sexuality to gain power. She was jealous of any woman that tried to become close to her husband and then her son, even going as so far to order the execution of a women that her husband Claudius complimented. Eventually she vilified herself enough to turn herself not only to turn her son against her but most of the court as well.
Accept the place the divine providence has found for you, the society of your contemporaries, the connection of events (Emerson paragraph 2).” Jeannette Walls’s mental growth during the course of her story is a prime example of transcendentalism present in her memoir. In the beginning, Jeannette is unaware of the problems within her family, especially those problems pertaining to her wild father. As she grows, she begins to see her father and mothers’ imperfections more clearly as well as realizing just how different her family is compared to other families. While this dismays her at times, Walls grows strong by relying on herself and learning to accept that while her past cannot be changed, she can take her future into her own hands. In this way, Walls goes from a starry-eyed child who blindly worships her father to an adult who sees the true nature of the people surrounding her.
It also shows her rebellious personality (also described as fearless) as contextually the age difference between her and her husband implies that he automatically should have authority over her. Curiosity is also present in this story, not only affecting her but also the reader. It enables the reader to ask themselves question like: “Why shouldn’t she go there?”, “What’s he hiding from her?”. This temptation is argued to lead to her downfall, due to the fact that it was only after she witnessed ‘the bloody chamber’ that she realised the
The book is written for modern Americans, and modern Americans would find it in severe distaste to see a girl being blindly obedient to her father even when what he asks of her goes against her own wishes. Modern Americans want to see a strong female character that fights the norms to do what she wants. This is something that is highly valued in modern American culture. For instance, the suffragettes are highly respected historical figures because although it went against all cultural norms, they fought for what they believed in. Similarly, Birdy fights for what she believes in; the right to pick who she marries: I saw Shaggy Beard’s messengers in the yard, talking solemnly to each other.
In the process, she endangered her life as she was threatened by the Taliban. Being the daughter of a school owner meant that she had the moral support of her parents as she persevered as an education activist and a feminist, but on the 9th of October, 2012 she was shot by a Talib. (1) Education is a privilege most of us are blessed with but some are willing to pay the ultimate price for. She was born and raised in a male dominant society, a community where a girl child was considered to be a burden to the family and was only useful to bear children or to do household chores. (2) She realized that ensuring education along with women’s rights were the only solutions to the dilemma she experienced in her society.
Your place in society was extremely important and made a huge impact on who you married. Upper and lower classes were not to be mixed and if done so, you were looked down upon. This concept is shown when Lady Bracknell interviews John before allowing her daughter, Gwendolen, to be with him. She has no interest in approving of John until she finds out that he is in fact from a very wealthy background. Wilde also does a good job of mocking the way men and women think of each other.
The use of role reversal by Oscar Wilde in ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. By Wilde having his female characters take on the roles of men and his male characters take on the roles of women; to me it seems that Wilde does a good job of turning Victorian values on their heads and showing their faults. Firstly, Lady Bracknell seems to represent this role reversal more than any other character throughout the play. Lady Bracknell has complete control over her daughter (Gwendolen’s) future. She says in Act I, “When you do become engaged to someone, I, or your father, should his health permit, will inform you of the fact”.
Second, it has been a lesson for our mothers and fathers that have drummed into us, but how many women actually believe it enough to follow through with action. Even if you’re in the club, you can wear something that is sexy but the lack of flesh will keep woman respectable, and thus us men will have to step to you respectfully. This
My biggest hero is my mom. As it sounds cliché, it’s true. She may not be the best person, and I’m sure she has made mistakes she regrets, but she has taught me to live in the moment and take charge of my life. She always says it’s better to be a leader than a follower, and I think she has set up a well-rounded image in my head of who I want to be. That is what my view is on heroes in society, and how I chose my own.