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The portrayal of women in literature
The portrayal of women in literature
The portrayal of women in literature
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Damaris Gutierrez Eng 4W: D. Voronca 10/30/2014 Prompt: #6 Lanyer’s Arguments For the Defense of Women Aemilia Lanyer, in “Eve’s Apology in Defense of Women” written in 1611, reinterpreted traditional biblical scriptures that held the idea that women were to blame for the loss of paradise and the overall decline of humanity, an idea that was very prevalent in 17th century England. Today, however, Lanyer’s evidence in favor of the equality of women is often times thought to be weak, and many go as far as to imply that Eve’s “defense of women” advocates more for women’s sub ordinance than of women’s equality. However, only by analyzing rhetorical appeals, rhetoric, and elements of form can one truly appreciate Lanyer’s radical ideas which paved the way for feminist advocates in later years. First and foremost, the speaker, Pontius Pilate’s wife, completely embraces the biblical teachings which state that Adam was in fact superior to Eve. It is common knowledge that God first made Adam, and then from Adam’s rib, created Eve; thus, making Eve Adam’s subordinate. Therefore, Pilate’s wife appeals to logic when she points out that Adam was “lord and king of all the earth”, he was …show more content…
She seems to make every claim, and yet none at all. It is not until the last two stanzas in which Pilate’s wife suggests that if he does condemn Jesus to die, then why not “let [women] have [their] liberty again” (81). She goes as far as to suggest that there should be no sovereign then, no superior, since she establishes that this sin, the killing of Christ, is greater than any other sin committed by women and men, then are not women and men now equal? One the letter is finished, the man who read it counsels Pilate to heed her word because she speaks for everyone. Although difficult to decipher, Aemilia Lanyer, points out that men and women are equals, both imperfect
Ulrich had a well explanation for her slogan on "well-behaved women." She supports her slogan by bringing up certain women stereotypes that have been going on throughout history. She uses these stereotypes to explain how certain people view on women.
Wollstonecraft, Mary. “A Vindication of the Rights of Women with Structures on Political and Moral
Amy Cunningham, an editor and author from New York, wrote an article “Why Women Smile” to emphasize on how women are no longer smiling because it is a natural thing, but rather an everyday habit. Coupled with Cunningham’s supported reasons by using logos and ethos, she also uniquely brings in her personal experience by having ethos, making her argument more relatable. A long side with that, societies’ past and present impact on today’s world about women was also included as Cunningham put her own take into proving her point. Although this may be true, there were some fallacies found in her argument leading it to lack of fully portraying the audience.
Literary historicism, in the context of this discussion, describes the interpretation of literary or historical texts with respect to the cultural and temporal conditions in which they were produced. This means that the text not only catalogues how individuals respond to their particular circumstances, but also chronicles the movements and inclinations of an age as expressed in the rhetorical devices of its literature. Evaluating the trial of Anne Hutchinson within such a theoretical framework means speculating on the genesis of her theological beliefs with recourse to prevailing theories of gender, class, and interpretation. Because texts are self-contained spheres of discourse, nuanced interpretations of them can be undertaken with greater assiduity than in the case of individuals whose private experiences remain largely concealed from the interpreter's knowledge. A historical analysis of Anne Hutchinson herself is hence, in the present discussion, secondary to the analysis of how she comes across in textual discourse as a palimpsest of seventeenth century gender controversy.
Margaret Fell and Mary Howgill were two prominent female writers during the seventeenth century in England, both whom were members of the Religious Society of Friends – more commonly referred to as Quakers which advocated political activism, equal rights for women and secular authority. Hogwill and Fell were imprisoned for years for endorsing Quakerism. Margaret Fell penned “Women’s Speaking Justified, Proved and Allowed by Scriptures” A work advocating for the liberty and authority of women by spiritual justification. Mary Howgill composed a letter to the leader of Parliament Oliver Cromwell, addressing how he persecuted fellow Quakers, corrupted the world for his own gain and turned his back on God and the Word of God. In this essay, we will critically analyze these two works, centering the focus on how each text is rhetorically structured and the ways in which their arguments are solidified through the literary device of allusion.
It amazes me how a few decades ago can seem like a whole different world. A course of time can impact our lives more than we know it. In the article, A Day Without Feminism by Jennifer Boumgoidnei and Amy Richntds, both of these authors created this piece to inform their audience that although women have gained more rights over time, there was still more progress to be made. These authors gave many examples of how life for women had been, the obstacles they had to overcome, and the laws women had to break for equality.
Both Mary Wollstonecraft and Sor Juana de la Cruz are writers of the Enlightenment period, but they each approach women’s rights in a different way. While De la Druz was a Catholic nun from Mexico ad preferred to study and be alone, Wollstonecraft asserted women’s rights for all through publications directed at the masses. During the Enlightenment, people began to question old authoritative models like the Church. Our texts states, “thinkers believed inreason as a dependable guide. Both sides insisted that one should not take any assertion of truth on faith, blindly following the authority of others; instead, one should think skeptically about causes and effects, subjecting all truth-claims to logic andrational inquiry” (Puchner 92). Indeed,
Indisputably, Mary Wollstonecraft was one of the most influential figures of Enlightenment, also considered the ‘first feminist’. It is certain that her works and writing has influenced the lives of many women and altered the outlook of some societies on women, evolving rights of women a great deal from what they used to be in her time. It is clear that Wollstonecraft’s arguments and writing will remain applicable and relevant to societies for many years to come, as although there has been progression, there has not been a complete resolution. Once women receive so easily the freedom, rights and opportunities that men inherently possess, may we be able to say that Wollstonecraft has succeeded in vindicating the rights of women entirely.
Throughout history, women have struggled with, and fought against, oppression. They have been held back and weighed down by the sexist ideas of a male dominated society which has controlled cultural, economic and political ideas and structures. During the mid-1800’s to early 1900’s women became more vocal and rebuked sexism and the role that had been defined for them. Fighting with the powerful written word, women sought a voice, equality amongst men and an identity outside of their family. In many literary writings, especially by women, during the mid-1800’s to early 1900’s, we see symbols of oppression and the search for gender equality in society.
When creating a comparative rhetorical analysis of two different feminist essays, we must first define the term “feminism”. According to Merriam-Webster.com, feminism is “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities”. Feminism is a also a long term social movement, one that’s been in the works since the early 1900’s. However, as any challenger to the norm might receive, the words ‘feminism’ and ‘feminist’ have gotten a bad reputation. Throughout the years, popular opinion has agreed that if you’re a feminist, you hate men, and don’t shave. It’s a very close-minded belief, and both Lindy West and Roxane Gay agree. Both authors of the essays I am comparing today, West and Gay try and convey their beliefs that feminism isn’t what you think it is. However, they do it in very different ways. Who conveyed their beliefs of feminism better and the superior argument? That is what I am going to display today.
Women’s Brains deals with the abuse of scientific data in order to “prove” negative social analyses with prejudiced groups such as women, blacks, and poor people. Evolutionary biologist Stephen Gould points out the flaws in the scientific methods of various scientists and correctly asserts that many scientists incorrectly used anthropometric data to support social analyses that degrade prejudiced groups.
In Mary Wollstonecraft’s The Wrongs of Woman, or Maria and Mary Robinson’s The Natural Daughter, women are subject to many hardships economically, simply because they are women. Women are not given sufficient opportunity, as men are, to pursue a living. Even if she is a woman of taste and morals, she may be treated as though she is a criminal and given no means to protect herself.
Undoubtedly, Stevie Smith's accusations towards the biblical story of Eve show how women have been victims of despair and suffering. She holds it responsible for cruelty towards women. She implies that the values derived from the story of Eve were forced upon women without any choice whatsoever. To conclude, she challenges the authenticity of the religious tale on a whole to further prove that a story as influential as this one, should not continue to reign misery amongst humanity. The blindfold must be uncovered, and the colored human thought must be undone. Women's rights have come a long way since or ancestors, let us continue in the proper direction and hope that all will follow the right course of action.
Traditional female characteristics and female unrest are underscored in literary works of the Middle Ages. Although patriarchal views were firmly established back then, traces of female contempt for such beliefs could be found in several popular literary works. Female characters’ opposition to societal norms serves to create humor and wish- fulfillment for female and male audiences to enjoy. “Lanval” by Marie De France and “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” by Geoffrey Chaucer both show subversion of patriarchal attitudes by displaying the women in the text as superior or equal to the men. However, “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” also incorporates conventional societal ideas by including degradation of women and mistreatment of a wife by her husband.
Throughout literature’s history, female authors have been hardly recognized for their groundbreaking and eye-opening accounts of what it means to be a woman of society. In most cases of early literature, women are portrayed as weak and unintelligent characters who rely solely on their male counterparts. Also during this time period, it would be shocking to have women character in some stories, especially since their purpose is only secondary to that of the male protagonist. But, in the late 17th to early 18th century, a crop of courageous women began publishing their works, beginning the literary feminist movement. Together, Aphra Behn, Charlotte Smith, Fanny Burney, and Mary Wollstonecraft challenge the status quo of what it means to be a