She makes a show of not taking her mother’s advice by saying things like, "Don’t be so old-fashioned, Ma […]. I’m my own person." This woman likes to think that she’s in charge of herself. All the same, she continues to look for her mother’s approval, especially in romantic relationships. She claims that she doesn’t want her mom’s opinions about Rich, but desperately wants her mother to like him.
Beatrice is the representation of a modern woman who breaks free from the social norms, which preferred quiet and subdued women, only to be seen and not to be heard, like her cousin Hero. Beatrice is a strong character, she is witty, sometimes scornful, bold, sarcastic and amidst all this- emotional. She professes a stubborn malignity towards the opposite sex but also posseses a lurking fascination for her ‘enemy – Benedick. When we are introduced to Beatrice, we see her as the great lady, bright, brilliant, beautiful, enforcing admiration as she moves among fine ladies and accomplished gallants of her circle. She has a quick eye to see what is weak or ridiculous in man or woman.
The problem with the confined versus unconfined woman in the medieval period as expressed in some literature of the time is that the unconfined woman is seen as dangerous. She is subverting an older order of gendered behavior and is proving that she can take on the same responsibilities and think on par with her male counterparts. Women who adhere to the narrow roles of wives, mothers, and peaceweavers generally appear as confined. Although this word may conjure connotations of something being done against one’s will, the confined woman of medieval literature appears perfectly happy and gracious to live in such a role. She is not dangerous and poses no threat to the male power structure.
Taking a feminist stance means supporting equality of the sexes; women can do what men do and vice versa. In this paper, I will argue that Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games is a modern feminist novel because the leading protagonist Katniss Everdeen displays qualities of both femininity and masculinity. Even though she is often unaware of herself as a female—oblivious to the attention she receives from District boys—Katniss does experience the emotions typical of young girls—namely involving romance—as well as those of a nurturing mother even though she does not want a family of her own. There is also a masculine side to her, made evident in her skill in both providing for her family and surviving the Games, which proves that women do not have to be limited wholly to traditional feminine roles. After her father
This just proves that Leonato and Hero both know that Leonato is the decision maker for Hero. Hero is seen in the play as the ideal woman in a patriarchal society; quiet and obedient and only speaks when not spoken to. This being one of Hero's character points that she is more vocal when she is around women rather than men. This character point could be two dimensional; the other dimensions being that Hero only speaks to women as they are the same, and not to mention as they seem to inferior or superior to them. Hero is quite an attractive character, which results in Claudio falling in love at first sight and proposing to her.
The ideal woman was one who was meek, quiet, delicate, and beautiful. She was subdued to her husband and in no way his equal. Jane Eyre’s character defies all the norms appropriate of the era. Through her inner spirit and devoutness to her principles she establishes her independence and strives to conserve her dignity and freedom of choice. She is not preoccupied with looking graceful and pretty to attract a man’s attention but only yearns to obtain her autonomy.
Alice Walker has associated the qualities of goodness and the sense of emancipation together, which I feel works well to convey the message that despite all the abuse and brutality Celie remains resilient and is rewarded with the freedom of her Spirit. She was able to hold on to her inherent power and strength of character and by the end of the story she is the victor. Celie finds no sexual pleasure or satisfaction in her marriage to Mr. ___. When Celie becomes aware of Shug in a photograph (Letter 6), she says, `Shug Avery was a woman’. The most beautiful woman I ever saw.
This creates an image of a dutiful housewife that serves the stereotypical gender role within a nuclear family. On the other hand she does not fit into that ancient stereotypical image of an obedient, close-minded housewife as she appears to possess intellectualism. Describing her pleasure to read a book about Richard Nixon shows her recurrent pursuit of knowledge. This somehow demonstrates that she is not dominated by her husband but rather holds an equal status within their marriage as a sophisticated woman. The description of her outer appearance is very much influenced by the varying moods of the narrating husband.
First impression of her is that she is wild and vivacious sometimes flirtatious, her appearance is the same. I love her more like a real sister than a sister-in-law does. We are very close; she always comes to me for advice about everything! She listens to my advice but does not take it all in at times. She is very naïve and immature but it is part of her charm.
The Envious Mother V. The Emotionally Unavailable Mother Many people complain about there so called “impossible mother” thinking that because their mother is not perfect the automatic alternative is that she’s difficult, but there is no such thing as a perfect mother. Only a “good-enough” mother. Apter defines a good-enough mother as a mother with whom a son or daughter finds more comfort than pain, more resonance than dissonance, and one who introduces her child to the multiple transactions that constitute love between two imperfect people. A good-enough mother may have habits that more often annoying then endearing; but she is good-enough because the relationship she offers has room for understanding, imagination, growth, and pleasure. So what is a difficult mother?