How Does Carol Ann Duffy Present Women in Mrs Aesop and Litany? In both Mrs Aesop and Litany Duffy presents women at quite different angles. In Mrs Aesop Duffy makes reference to women as blunt and constantly criticising, a trait that is very unusual for a feminist. Because of her jealousy she makes fun of his masculinity and insults him the sex was diabolical. Showing a stronger side to Mrs Aesop, but also a rather childish one.
She portrays strong feeling regarding the social class system of the time, the view towards women and marriage, and the complexities friendship and compassion held in the 19th century. Together, the events and feelings mould together Austen's satirical novel, and allows Austen to give her own opinions using her omniscient narrative throughout the book. Of course, in William Shakespeare's play 'The Merchant of Venice', we explore more of these strong feelings, however they are not at all similar- or so it seems. Shakespeare's use of unique dramatic methods expose hypocrisy in the Elizabethan Venice setting regarding the social intolerance between the Christians and the Jews. Not only this, but throughout the play, we can see obvious feelings of revenge and compassion, especially in Act 4 scene 1 where Shylocks loss of revenge evokes our compassion towards the emotionally broken man.
Josh Duran Mr. Chrestman American Literature 8 June 2003 The Feeling of Worthlessness in a Woman In the poem “Prologue” written by Anne Bradstreet it is made clear that many of Bradstreet’s insecurities come from living in a Puritan environment. Bradstreet often questioned the Puritan faith. However, once she learned the woman’s place in her society her questioning grew further. Bradstreet was not happy living the life of a “normal” Puritan wife. 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.
I believe the most significant part of the Tess of the D’Urbevilles is located within the last few pages of the novel. The murdering of Alec promotes a feminist approach to writing which Hardy attempts to undertake in places throughout the book, empowering Tess. This contrasts with the in depth detail he usually acquires, which is not apparent in the description of the murder. The reader neither reads how Tess murders Alec or what the murder scene looks like, in order for Hardy to maintain Tess’s ‘purity’. Additionally, it is likely that the fact Tess murders was enough of a controversial subject, without Hardy having to describe it, to shock the readers.
For example, there are many cases in the first several stories of Arabian Nights when women are disloyal and evil, but there are also stories about the wrong of men. This is because Shahrazad wanted to balance human wrong and she attempts to expose the wrongs of both sexes equally. According to feminism, the women's and men's rights are equal. So, she tried to explain that women can also make mistakes as men and it is not right that they take into account only women's mistakes (Smith, 1).
Sade argues for the interrelationship between sexual and political freedom. How does Philosophy in the Boudoir engage with or dramatise this argument? Do you think it is correct? Argument continues today regarding the Marquis de Sade and the ambiguous representation of his works. For many, his material is judged as what some feminists would define as a “form of violence against women”, whose representations “eroticize male domination”, (Robin Ann Sheets, “Pornography, Fairytales and Feminism” 635), but for many readers of Sade’s work, once they see through the ‘smut’ and the erotica, there is often found by the reader an underlying message which is sometimes seen as radical, or one which was not elaborated further until many years later.
To what extent does Lady Windermere’s Fan offer serious criticism of contemporary social and sexual conventions? In Lady Windermere’s Fan, Oscar Wilde bitingly satirizes and ridicules the morals of Victorian London High Society and focuses particularly on the aspects of marriage. The play is a juxtaposition both comical and serious subject matters. Wilde examines sexual morality and gender politics throughout the play, especially through both of the characters of Cecil Graham, a typical caricature of the upper class and Mrs Erlynne, a lost character who is no longer accepted into society due to her reputation. Wilde criticizes the society he lives in during the time he wrote the play and uses characters to emphasize the inequalities of double standards mainly between the gender roles and how London High Society during that particular era was hard to get in to but easy to become an outcast.
Jane Eyre voices strong opinions on; women’s rights, class and property, religious sincerity, love and justice. Brontë’s scrutiny of these topics relates flaws in each, despite the appearances of some. The novel is subtly humiliating towards males, displaying them a insincere. These flaws are demonstrated through…; consistent character action, The narration from a woman’s point of view establishes a strong voice for women rights, or lack thereof. At the commencement of the novel, Jane’s character is “… a picture of passion!” (pg7, Jane Eyre), when she rebels against harsh treatment at the hands of her cousin John.
Despite their very different settings and the huge differences between the two murderers, the writers of ‘Perfume’ and ‘American Psycho’ choose, as characterisation, to focus on the victimisation of women through the actions of their main protagonists. Both authors raise the question as to whether the brutality of the protagonists actions are committed due to the fact they are both mentally challenged, or whether the development of their morals stem from a deeper hatred of women. Whilst it may appear that Grenouille and Bateman have much in common, both being murderers of women, one could argue that their motivation comes from different places. Grenouille’s disturbing actions come, perhaps, from a lack of emotional commitment and indeed more of an objectification of women, while Bateman’s actions seem to come more from a sense of hatred and disregard. 'Perfume' tells a story in which the protagonist’s precarious position between olfactory prowess and lack of body odour motivates a string of despicable murders.
Though feminists are an intently focused group of people, advocating for women’s rights; that does not mean that all feminists interpret things the same way. The way Poe writes his poetry, consistently killing a beautiful woman’ is taken as a compliment by some because it shows how she is always on his mind, and yet to others, it is an insult because the repeated killing of the girl seems disrespectful. Looking at this from a feminist’s point of view, you can draw a few conclusions: the first of which being female liberation, another being female power, and the final one being the oppression of females in society. Some believe that Poe is trying to liberate Poe Girl through his poetry. The continuous dying of Poe Girl in his poems represents Poe Girl being freed, allowing the release of her spirit.