The Roles of Women in East Asia and Western Europe from 1750 to 1914 Women in East Asia and Western Europe were treated in very different ways. East Asia prescribed a patriarchal social authority life while Western Europe prescribed a more liberated way of life for women. Women in East Asia and Western Europe had various similarities but they were varied and far between. Cultures and religious beliefs were what influenced social authority in these countries. In East Asia, women were subjected to a strong patriarchal authority.
It’s not just that she was a women that impressed me but her outward denial to conform to a world that oppressed her and women all across Europe based on sex. Not many people have the courage to stand up for their beliefs but she did so, knowing that support for her cause was scarce to none. She defended a women’s place in society, as well as flourishing in the literary realm and exercising her ability to converse, challenge, and reason in the art of rhetoric. Through these reasons and preservations, Christine De Pizan merits more than a three quarter page in a history of rhetoric
The role of women in the Renaissance was not that of assertiveness, and certainly not that of equality, when it came to men. In fact they were merely subordinate inferiors, and custom and prejudice kept them servants to domesticity. Most women were perceived as being weak, which often coincided with passiveness. The Renaissance, though considered to be a cultural advancement from the Middle Ages, held women at almost the same standard as before. Although loyal and determined, Desdemona’s naïve nature has caused many to believe that she is also of a passive nature.
In the epic tale of Beowulf, translated by Kevin Crossley-Holland, it is the role, worth and importance of the woman that is greatly questioned by some readers. When one first reads this tale at a glance, one might not even see the true value of women during this era due to the portrayal of the women characters in the story. One must do close reading to see the true importance of each women character or lack of importance. After close reading one might see that it is the status of women and the significance or function of their role for that particular status in society that should be focused on; for each woman regardless of status, held some worth and importance. If one did not have a proper status or ancestry, they were held in very low opinion, therefore, those women deemed of low status or low ancestry held the roles of monsters and wenches.
In comparison Fay Weldon’s Letters to Alice, written a few centuries after, shows a clear link of how particular concerns, held by society, have altered. A women living in the late 1800’s had very few rights and freedoms. Education was a thing men and if a women engaged in such activities she was at risk of being shunned by society or “left on the shelf.” Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice follows a young girl, Elizabeth Bennet, who struggles against society’s expectations. Being a smart and well educated women, she is somewhat frowned upon, however this has been disguised by Austen through her dialogue. An example is seen near the beginning of the book in which Mr Darcey and Mr Binley’s brother are engaged in polite conversation.
Before her story even begins, Marie de France contests the idea of female inferiority. She believes the women deserve as much respect and power through literature as men. Guigemar’s lady herself is a representation
A Closer Look Into the Middle Ages During the Middle Ages, in a time where religion dictated society, women were affected greatly. They were restricted in numerous ways having strict policies pertaining to music, ministry, education, and their role in their communities minimizing their opportunities to reach their full potential. Nevertheless, many distinguished women found ways to prosper. One women in particular, Hildegard von Bingen, had a different perspective and attempted to break this gender barrier that women in the middle ages dared to overcome. The Medieval period was a time where men were perceived as superior in comparison to women.
Pizan so obviously from the start of her writing, introduces how women should behave (from the perspective of a princess), so that her actions shall be beneficial to her and her husband. By talking about the finances, which is radical, Pizan degrades women in all other aspects. Degrading is used in the sense that she does not promote equality in any other way other than the financial aspect. These women could be considered early feminists if they looked for equality in other things as well not just a specific
Despite the reformation of society in the 14th to 17th century, the role of women was still the same. Leading figures of the renaissance continued to portray women as they were presented in the medieval era as either virtuous and chaste or seductive and deceptive. All the advancements in culture, art, intellect and politics emerged only for men and women were excluded from the rebirth era. Women were subjugated and were used in society at the men’s expense. Daughters would grow up and potentially help the family through an advantageous marriage.
A time where female writers’ had to be guarded, and confined, in expressing their opinions, the narrative voice, ‘Call me Mary Beaton, Mary Seaton…’ aided the conveying of Woolf’s argument, as it engaged with women on a more personal level, through making her character a universally identifiable ‘every-woman’, rather than an individual displaying her anger towards the system of patriarchy. This narrative writing style also had the power to shield her personal self to some extent, which partially removed direct