We are introduced to a majorly significant and complex character, named Curley’s wife. Steinbeck shows us that Curley’s wife is flirtatious, mischievous (despite the patriarchal society of the 1930’s) but most of all she is an isolated character. Her hasty marriage to Curley proves to be failed attempt to escape her own spiral of disappointment of not fulfilling her ambition of becoming an actor. This ironically is a main theme in both texts. This essay will analyse and compare the presentation of Lady Macbeth and Curley's wife through the structure, themes, what is said about them, their actions and what they themselves say.
Euripides' portrays Medea as both a weak and strong woman, being able to stand up to some of the male characters and simultaneously succumb to their presence. Jason is illustrated by Euripides' as a stereotypical male in a patriarchal society, convinced that his choices are for the best while completely disregarding Medea's opinions on them. As a woman cast into the patriarchal society of Corinth, Medea is at first portrayed as powerless, a feeble person who was 'scorned and shamed' by her husband. In the opening sequence of the play, the Nurse's prologue characterizes Medea as heartbroken as well as 'raging, illogical and suicidal'. Euripides' use of extended descriptive sentences in the prologue allows him to portray two sides to Medea, a fragile woman and a strong-willed one.
How does Miller present Abigail in Act 1 of ‘The Crucible’? Abigail is portrayed very early on in act 1 as a girl who very much lacks respect for others. Specifically Elizabeth Proctor, whom she describes as a “bitter woman” when talking to her uncle, Reverend Parris. The adjective “bitter” suggests that Goody Proctor only thinks of herself and expresses intense hostility. Miller uses irony in this as it is in fact Abigail who shows these attributes towards Elizabeth after Abby’s affair with John Proctor and becomes jealous of their marriage.
Despite these differences, both stories surrounding these two women are realistic and of real women who are conflicted in their role as women in a man’s world and this ultimately led them to take control of their life even if it meant killing themselves. Hedda is someone who does not have a regard for people that are close to her unlike Chandara who cared for her husband tremendously. It is clear that both of these women are different emotionally and intellectually. From the beginning of Hedda Gabler, the protagonist, Hedda Gabler has always been aloof and condescending; it is shown in page 1470 where she commented that they could not keep Bertha the maid because she accused Bertha of leaving her old hat in the living room when in fact it was Miss Tesman’s hat. She is not afraid to manipulate her friends and family and does not seem to have a regard for people close to her.
Woman are raised to believe that the key to happiness rests in marriage. In their different roles, the characters are all disillusioned and disappointed. The fear and insecurities that the woman face throughout the monologues addresses the struggles throughout their lives. One character for example, Meryl, faces problems and hardships as she is unable to control
‘Women must creep’ (Elaine R. Hedges) illustrates the thought that women shouldn’t be heard, but do only what they’re required to do, reinforcing how women were demeaned. The lack of power women had was not only present within their marriage, but also in society as males were perceived as the more significant gender, so women were patronised and dismissed by patriarchal control. Patriarchal control is represented clearly by John, the protagonist’s husband, which increases complexity within the novel as the isolation and ‘The resting cure’ he enforces upon her, causes her mental state to degenerate further, despite John believing it is helping his wife. There are a number of methods used to increase the characters complexity in The Yellow Wallpaper. For example, the use of epistolary displays a 1st person narrative and is in the present tense, “I never used to be so sensitive.” This is present when the protagonist writes to herself, Gilman uses this technique in order to show the
Miller takes the “woman scorned” approach to his character of Abigail. Abigail’s assertiveness is observed early when she tells her uncle “the rumour of witchcraft is all about; I think you'd best go down and deny it yourself,". This remark, within the confines of a deeply hierarchical and patriarchal society, shows her to have knowledge of social situations and also that she does not conform to the Puritan society, which has already been evidenced by her affair with John Proctor. She is spiteful which helps to build the classic “woman scorned” role which Miller moulds her into: “Oh, I marvel how such
Wilde explores the subject of morality frequently within the play and the conflicting ideas surrounding the topic. Wilde particularly explores the idea of women ‘falling from grace’. This can be seen in the character of Mrs Arbuthnot. The character is quite obviously a good, strong woman who has taken her misfortunes in stride and not let them bring her down too much, as well as raising her son to also be a good person. Many people would argue that the blame for her misfortune should solely lay on Lord Illingworth, who, it is obvious to the audience, used her for his own pleasure and satisfaction, abusing her love and trust.
Rossetti shows us she resents men and the power they have over women and also the weakness and few liberties that women have in this period. Rossetti chooses a first person narrative in this poem so the narrator can address her questions and laments to Kate. We are taken through an emotional journey with the maiden where we are told what happened to her. This explains her initial anger at Cousin Kate. The maidens Questions in the first stanza express her anger and confusion at the experiences she has had to endure.
She is jealous of the child (the Governor changes the palace for the son, not for her) and is obsessed with her clothes, unable to comprehend the danger, as she has lived a life of privilege. She treats the servants badly. After the civil war, she tries to get Michael back in order to reclaim the Governor’s estates. The judge Azdak rules against her because she is not as good for the child as Grusha is. She is used to highlight major themes in the play: Justice, Family, Class warefare and Religion.