Two men in Miral’s life treat her very well. Both education and natural power are themes that we compare with based on these two novels. Education is very important for women from Middle East countries because it is a good way to change their lives. In Saadawi’s novel, Firdaus was born in and grew up in a poor family in a community of poor families. She did not know about how book was so powerful at the beginning until she moved to her uncle’s house in Cario.
Mary Rommley, grandmother of Francie, gives her mother, Katie, the advice to raise her children so they will have more opportunities. Mary’s optimism about this foreshadows Francie’s ability to get an education. Mary has faith in this dream because of Johnny and Katie’s ability to read a write. The successful characters in this book are the ones that have the vision of the American dream in their heads. The characters such as Johnny and Uncle Flittman, who do not survive, do not have this vision and just wander through their lives.
The Chrysanthemums Elisa’s life in the story The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck appears to be normal, but deep down inside Elisa feels trapped by her life’s circumstances. Elisa is portrayed as a strong woman however, her place in society as a married woman keeps her from pursuing her true passion, which is traveling. The setting for the short story is early 20th century America, a time period where a women’s gender determined her role in society. Women were expected to live as housewives with their husbands, the thought of a women living the life as a traveler at that time was inconceivable and challenged gender norms. Elisa was not only trapped by the time period and society’s expectation of her gender role, but also by her marriage.
Jeanette Winterson, an English author, was brought up in an incredibly religious setting and grew up surrounded by a mother who intended nothing but for Winterson to become a missionary. Winterson reacted to the environment she was raised in, in the opposite manner than what her parents had hoped for. Through this reaction Jeanette Winterson made it possible to look at and explore the religious dogmatism that was prevalent in her life, and in this exploration her literature was born. In Winterson’s book The Passion her Christian background is especially visible in the significance attributed to churches. Through the imagery of churches Winterson is able to convey her intensive religious upbringing, her conflicting religious views, and her creative literary depth.
Then she remembers audience about lost habit of letter writing in this digital age. She decided that she is going to leave her son the legacy of handwriting by leaving something that is related to letters. Before sharing few letters that her father wrote for her, she says, “The same letter that touched his hand, is now in mine”. Letter forms a physical connection between two people, no matter how much time or distance has gone by - it can even bridge a gap between the living and the dead. She says she is emotionally connected with the letters and whenever she reads the letters she remembers her father talking to him.
There was a lot of sexist employers as most of them thought a ‘women’s place’ was in the home. Women faced a lot of discrimination against men if they were seen displaced in the field of work. Most women would be employed in Domestic Service which would include being maids and cleaners for higher class citizens who could afford servants. They would polish silver, wash and do normal household chores. Most women were brought up to support her husband and look after her home and children; her time was always contributed to her home.
The women often acted as counselors in the home, soothing their husbands' words and actions. Even though, they were not directly involved in politics, women's roles within the family and local community allowed them to influence the political system. During the seventeenth century, women's writings continued to focus on mostly religious concerns, women found a creative and intelligent outlet which was private journal and letter writing. The women in the seventeenth-century role were to obey and to serve their husbands, raise their children, and work to maintain their households. The women did not have a voice on anything unless it was pertaining to family needs, and I feel that women should not be treated like someone that cannot express their opinion.
She was taught foreign languages, history, philosophy; and to her mother’s disadvantage, math. Even though Florence had been educated, and had many prospective husbands; she knew that she had a true calling on her life. Many would argue that Florence Nightingale’s drive is what made her successful. Through her driven mindset Florence Nightingale defied odds and overcame immense obstacles. Her caring mannerism and need to fulfill her desire to care for others, gave her a promising career, just like many nurses
In “I want a wife”, Judy demonstrate how women are conditioned to be care takers for their home and family. Society creates the image that women should take care of the house while the men provide for the house.” I want a wife who will keep the house clean, a wife who will pick up after my children, a wife who will pick up after me.” In this part of the essay Judy is expressing what is expected of a wife to do. In the 18th century females were seen as objects and not as an individual human. They were expected to stay home cook, clean and have children. Women were considered men’s property and they were expected to listen to all their commands.
My mother had influenced me in many ways and has molded me to be what I am today a bright strong young lady. The reason of why my mother is the one who influenced me the most are because she taught me everything in this world I needed to know by loving me influencing me & staying with me threw times I didn’t believe in myself. The kind of relationship that takes most people years to attain with their mothers is one that I already cherish. The depth of our understanding of each other could only have been developed through nineteen years of patient persistence and much time shared as a teacher and a mother to me. Once we have got home from work & for me a few hours of studying with my aunt I think about my future plans, or even just to share a moment of silence with my mom after a busy day.