June is another victim of patriarchal oppression just like Connie’s mother, a typical “house wife”. Both the mother’s and sister’s roles fully reflect how women were treated at that time. They were controlled by males, displayed a lack of confidence and did not have their own independent self-consciousness. Oates used Connie’s independent identity and rebellious behaviors to represent women’s dissatisfaction with patriarchy, but had no courage to make a change. When Oates starts the story by introducing Connie without a last name, Oates created a character with a clear independent identity, while at the same time rebelling against the patriarchy.
“The Necklace” versus “The Story of an Hour” Fernanda Floresta ENG 125 Introduction to Literature Kristina Stutler June 13, 2011 “The Necklace” versus “The Story of an Hour” In the patriarchal world of the nineteenth-century women were oppressed from society and they had to stay home as housewives, cleaning, cooking and doing the household work (Jamil, 2009). They did not have any rights or value in the eyes of society. These concepts have changed drastically on the most recent years. Women now are more independent and really try to better themselves by studying and working. In literature, we are able to view what were the roles of women years ago.
Women’s Roles Throughout the history of the United States, women have held many different roles in social, political and economic classes. Before the Civil War, a woman had a traditional role in the home, working as a housewife. The fight for equal and voting rights started but was unfortunately not continued until after the war. With new technology and industrial advances, women’s roles in the work force increased immensely and obtained many new opportunities. Although before the Civil War, women rarely took a part in society, the war significantly changed women’s roles in many ways.
The narrator discloses that it is actually a good thing that she is not caring for the baby. “I never thought of it before, but it is lucky that John kept me here after-all, I can stand it so much easier than a baby, you see.” (10). The reader starts to get a sense that the narrator cannot care for her baby, as her entire world revolves only around the room and the wallpaper that surrounds it. The narrator’s husband does not want her to do anything in the room, not even write in her journal. “There comes John, and I must put this away- he hates to have me write a word.” (4).
Questia states, “Despite their vital role in Ancient Greek and Roman society, women were not considered full citizens and in most instances required a guardian – their fathers, and later husbands – to represent them” (“Women in Ancient Greece and Rome”). As his poem progresses, Homer presents female characters in different aspects, demonstrating that women should not be confined to the standard they were held in that society. At the beginning of the book, women are first introduced as being loyal, faithful, and under complete servitude to men. This presentation of women demonstrates the view of women at that time. This is evident in the treatment and actions of Penelope and Calypso.
Women in the Crucible vs. Women in the 1950s When women are portrayed in different eras in history ,they often show comparisons and contrasts between stereotypes,cultures,religious values , and their typical day to day life. As mothers ,workers or both and also how much women have accomplished throughout the years. In the novel “The Crucible” based on the Salem trials of the 1600s, shows how women were potrayed and how the attitudes have evolved through diferent era in the 1950's. Women potrayed in the Crucible The outlook on gender roles in today’s advanced society is in drastic contrast to the views portrayed in The Crucible, set in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692. The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, depicts women as weak persons, who are expected to submit to men, and whose only access to power is through dishonest means.
When they were married all of their belongings would go to the husband and they were then expected to stay at home and do the housework, when the men would be out working. If women tried to get into politics they would be accused of neglecting their families. As of this more women started to chose getting a job rather than getting married, they faced unequal pay and dreadful working conditions. It was seen that women didn’t need the vote as their husbands, brothers and fathers made the decision on their behalf. The women Chartists that had supported men to get the vote felt very let down.
The Women’s Movement of the 1960’s, also known as the second wave, may not have been one-hundred percent successful but it made for a good start. This movement made publicly acceptable to talk about women's issues. Because of this movement, many women changed how they viewed themselves and the world around them. Because of organizations such as NOW, WEAL and PCSW, discrimination in the work place on the basis of sex was made
In reference to her cultural heritage, Dee states that she has rejected the name her mother gave her because “I couldn’t bear it any longer, being named after the people who oppress me”. Explain how Dee feels she has been kept down by her family. Give examples from the story to support your opinion. Dee rejects her name because it comes from a long generation of slaves, this remain ds her the dark and ugly past. She is the only one in the family who has been educated and doesn’t like to remember old feelings that only bring frustration and sadness.
Women were still viewed as being inferior to men and did not have a voice to air their concerns or displeasure. In the beginning of the story, the main character hints to this oppression as she comments “perhaps that is one reason I do not get well faster” when describing John’s occupation as a physician (Gilman 82). Her husband John is expanding her level of depression by keeping her from the outside. Confining her to one room within a house that was viewed as being “a colonial mansion, a hereditary estate” is symbolic (Gilman 82). It shows that she is trapped within a small portion of a large house, similar to being trapped to adventure the outside world thus forced in to a land of fantasy not reality.