Their enticing sexuality, he believes, tempts men to behave in ways they would otherwise not. A visit to the “flophouse” (a cheap hotel, or brothel) is enough of women for George, and he has no desire for a female companion or wife. Curley’s wife, the only woman to appear in Of Mice and Men, seems initially to support George’s view of marriage. Dissatisfied with her marriage to a brutish man and bored with life on the ranch, she is constantly looking for excitement or trouble. In one of her more revealing moments, she threatens to have the black stable-hand lynched if he complains about her to the boss.
Her role as a woman was also to give recognition to the characters when they deserved it. For example, during Beowulfs first feast at Heorot, “Wealthow came in, Hrothgar’s queen, observing the courtesies, Adourned in her gold, she graciously saluted the men in the hall, handed the cup first to Hrothgar, their homelands guardian, urging him to drink deep and enjoy it because he was dear to them. And he drank it down like the warlord he was, with festive cheer…decked out in rings offering the goblet to all ranks, treating the household and the assembled troops until it was Beowulfs turn to take it from her hand. With measured words she welcomed the Geat and thanked God for granting her wish that a deliverer she could believe in would arrive to ease their afflictions”. (605-615) When Wealthow gives the cup to Hrothgar first she is showing who the boss of the place is and setting the hierarchy of the story.
Men on the other hand had the freedom to freely express themselves by way of literature, which is seen in the works of various authors of this time period. The lack of women authors during this time period leads us to believe that women, for the most part, were limited to domestic duties that were to keep the household running smoothly. Anne Bradstreet on the other hand defied the average norms of a woman’s role in colonial America and voiced her mind by way of literature. In the early Virginian colony, Captain John Smith boasted, “He, who does not work, will not eat.” This shows that there was absolutely no room for slackers, and both men as well as women had to do their part to keep the society running as smooth as possible. The work required to sustain a family in the rather bleak environmental situations of the early colonies was demanding for all.
The use of a possessive apostrophe emphasises the point even further that she belongs to him and he controls her, although she can try to push the boundaries of society's rules and expectations, he will always be there to stop her as she is dominated by him. Much like many women in 1930's America who had a lack of importance as they were male dominated. Women held little respect during this era, they had no choice, no voice and no right to vote, they were categorised along with the insane and children. In the
Marriages were usually based on economic partnership and cultural believes. Husbands ruled over their wives and made all of the family decisions. It was almost impossible for women to be involved in public matters. In fact, women had no right at all to participate in activities that weren’t permitted by the husbands and if they were to do so the men were allowed by the law to punish their wives for disobedience. It felt almost like they were imprisoned in the domestic environment by their Masters who were men.
The women Chartists that had supported men to get the vote felt very let down. Male criminals could vote yet female doctors, factory workers and mothers couldn’t. One of the most significant contributions to the achievement of votes for women in 1918 was made by the Suffragists. Female suffrage societies were firstly developed in more middle and upper class areas like London, Manchester and Edinburgh. They started because of their disappointment of the 1867 Reform Act when it failed to include women.
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 wenches were mere women to play a role in entertaining men of higher class, they were not considered outcasts but also were not considered to have any worth, they were stuck in the class they were at never really being able to rise to become a peacemaker or hostess. Grendel’s mother was portrayed and seen as such a lowly character that she did not even receive a proper name. Throughout the story Grendel’s mother is only seen and described as an evil, monstrous, and manly person. Not one positive characteristic is given to her. She is referred to as a descendent of Cain, one of the first humans to be truly sinful and evil in gods eyes.
When Anthony send for Cleopatra to meet with him at Taros in Cilicia in order to assure Egypt’s loyalty to him, Cleopatra appeared in front of him as a glittering spirit, the incarnation of Isis-Aphrodite (Egypt p.26) .This incarnation was delimited by extraordinary effects (Egypt p.26). To Anthony Cleopatra was an Aphrodite, Queen of love for the rest of his life (my p.15) This meeting had been proposed to terrify Cleopatra instead Anthony felled in love (Egypt p26). This is a perfect example of how queen of Egypt demonstrated her amazing talent for diplomatic influence which unquestionably established Egypt’s future. ( Egypt p.26). After Cleopatra and Anthony became lovers they made an agreement that Anthony will help her to fight her anomies and kill her sister Arsinoe, in return she will pay for his Partian campaign ( what kind of women p.6….).
Most of all looking at gender traits and how certain roles where determined because of gender. Took me back to caveman lifestyle of living where woman had little to no involvement in anything men did for their family. Compare and Contrast today’s women to women during that era and you would feel a huge difference in what you will see. How the men operated to build their empire was something I had never seen. It was almost like take my life I will take yours.