Subversion of Women in A Scandal in Bohemia
Doyle's "A Scandal in Bohemia" follows the story of the famous detective
Sherlock Holmes on his adventures to retrieve a damaging photograph. In the society Watson describes, the apparent role of women is miniscule for emphasis focuses on one woman who is the object of Holmes' detective inquiries. In "A Scandal in Bohemia," society places women at a subordinate level pushing them to the background therefore never allowing us, the reader, to know them.
Watson describes women as second-class citizens at the start of the story without directly saying so. When Watson says, "My own complete happiness, and home-centered interests which rise up around the man who first finds himself master of his own establishment were sufficient enough to absorb all my attention," (212) he declares outright that he wears the pants in the family, thus implying that his wife makes no important family decisions. Since Watson is the "master" or ruler of his own "establishment," he insinuates that the members of his family are his servants not his equals. Watson's wife is a trivial character, clearly evident because we never hear from her and never learn her name. On one occasion, Watson spends the night at Watson's house on Baker Street without once thinking to call his wife. Watson's behavior shows what little respect he has for his wife. This blatant disregard for his wife's feelings illustrates the insignificance of this woman.
The King of Bohemia displays another example of the lack of respect given to women. His concerns do not center on his future wife becoming aware of this affair but rather tarnishing his own image. The King fears the revelation of this scandalous photograph for it lies on the hands of a woman. His interests to dominate this woman are evident in the callous actions the King directs towards Irene Adler. The King states, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked her house.
Once we diverted her luggage when she traveled. Twice she has been waylaid. There has been no result" (218). This disregard for Adler's privacy questions the King's overall motives. Does he really want the photograph or do his actions focus on hurting Irene Adler? The King wants the upper hand on this beautiful, yet intelligent woman. The King's attitude towards his future wife and his former lover, Irene Adler fits into society's narrowly defined roles of women.
In this society, women were the nurtures and the protectors of the children and what some deem as only monetarily valuable items. The female instinct to nurture reflects in the personality of Irene Adler.
Anna Julia Cooper’s, Womanhood a Vital Element in the Regeneration and Progress, an excerpt from A Voice from the South, discusses the state of race and gender in America with an emphasis on African American women of the south. She contributes a number of things to the destitute state African American woman became accustom to and believe education and elevation of the black woman would change not only the state of the African American community but the nation as well. Cooper’s analysis is based around three concepts, the merging of the Barbaric with Christianity, the Feudal system, and the regeneration of the black woman.
The phrase “Without a common Power to keep them all in awe” foreshadows Hobbes advocacy for an absolute Sovereign. Additionally, another common Power could be God which is where the Sovereign draws his power. The use of the word awe is interesting as it is often used to describe the feelings of man has at the hands of God. Therefore, Hobbes ideas of a Sovereign have been influenced by religious forces. Hobbes then gives the descriptions for the various roles in the power structure of his proposed political system. "This done, the Multitude so united in one Person, is called a Commo...
After hundreds of years, it can be agreed upon that the story of Santa Claus could use a few tweaks and changes to progress with society. Clearly, the new generation is all about pizzazz, so the simple story is no longer up to standard. However, no matter how much the outer layer of Santa may change, from weight to tattoos, his morals and values should remain, as they exist to bring hope and joy in a time meant for happiness.
Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” is the author’s most celebrated work. The book conveys the story of Marlow, who is a sailor on the ship. Marlow narrates the story describing particularly what he came across during his journey and experienced. When we look at the events that take place in the book, it is unquestionable that Women do not occupy a significant portion of the story; the story is predominately male dominated. However, does women’s lack of appearance make them minor characters? Or do women have a minor effect in the story? Having analyzed the book under the scope of “Feminist View”, we can answer these questions and say that women play considerable roles even though they occupy a small portion in the story. In my essay I will
Women throughout history have always been an outcast in society. They have been looked down upon from men of higher power. Women have less privileges than men and often don’t have the same rights. People will look to a man for his opinion before asking for a woman’s thoughts. Women are often seen as prizes or objects to men. The previous statements are how women are portrayed in Candide in the 1750s. How would you feel if you or a woman in your life was treated this way in today’s society?
Katniss’s first act that captures the Capitol’s attention as possible rebellion is her hunting in a forest that is illegal for trespassing. Katniss goes out to this field every day with her friend Gale. They kill different animals and then later sell or trade them in the black market. If the living conditions in District Twelve, where Katniss lives, were not so terrible then she would not have to perform these illegal acts to keep her family alive. Katniss’s father was killed in a mining accident and since then Katniss feels responsible for keeping her family alive. Katniss is the kind of girl who does not want to cause trou...
Derfler, Jessica, John Griffin, and Lila Nejad, prods. "Mariska Hargitay." E! True Hollywood Story. E! Los Angeles, California, 18 Apr. 2008. Television.
Unlike sex, the history of sexuality is dependant upon society and limited by its language in order to be defined and understood.
Norvilitis, Jill M., and Phillip Santa Maria. “Credit Card Debt On College Campuses: Causes, Consequences, And Solutions.” College Student Journal 36.3 (2002): 356. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.
In Christine Stansell’s City of Women, the main issue discussed is “the misfortunes laboring women suffered and the problems they caused” (xi). Throughout the book, Stansell delves into the different aspects that affected these female New Yorkers’ lives, such as inadequate wages, societal stigmas about women laborers, and the hierarchal class system, within antebellum America. She argues that since the nation’s founding, in 1789, the bedrock of these tribulations working women would be mercilessly exposed to was gender inequality. Women’s opportunities and livelihoods were strongly dependent on the dominant male figure in their life, due to the fact that in that period there was very few available and accepted forms of employment for women. Stansell claims, “Paid work was sparse and unstable. Laboring women were confined within a patriarchal economy predicated on direct dependence on men” (18). As the work continues, she illustrates these women’s desires to break away from their reliance on men, as well as the avenues they took to achieve this desired independence. To help solidify her
There are many times where we might get mad at someone for something they did whether they lied to you, hurt your feelings, or stole something from you. Most people tend to get over it after a while and not hold a grudge. We might not like someone because of the way they look, their race or their sexuality. Most people tend to keep that inside themselves and let those people enjoy their freedoms like everyone else. This was not the case in the Third Reich. There was no room for any colored person, gay, disabled, sick, gypsy, or political opponent in Adolf Hitler's master race.
“Nothing in this world is harder than speaking the truth, nothing easier than flattery.” (Dostoevsky, Kindle Used) The novel Crime and Punishment expresses the superiority of men and the superman theory. The character Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov (“Rodya,” “Rodka”) believes he is superior to all. His murder plot evolves throughout the story and highlights his motives and belief that the women he kills are worthless and dehumanizes their very essence of life.. The women are submissive to the males in their lives and take many risks in order to save their families. Women such as Sofya Semyonovna Marmeladov(Sonya), Katerina Ivanovna Marmeladov, and Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikov(Dunya) explicate the true meaning of sacrifices and suffering
During the 1800’s male dominance was common in marriages, Mrs. Mallard and Janie were two young women who experienced it from their spouses. Mrs. Mallard acted submissively towards her husband until she heard he had passed away. When Mrs. Mallard heard of her husband’s death she said “she would live for herself” (Chopin, 14). Meaning she would only provide for herself, aspire for freedom (Chopin, 16) and no one would have control over her actions. Janie was an African woman who encountered male dominance as well. When Janie cooked for Jody her husband and “the bread didn’t rise or the fish wasn’t done at the bone or the rice was scorched, he slapped her Janie until she had a ringing sound in her ears” (Hurston, 72). Jody’s intentions for slapping
Through these four philosophies, I hope to inspire my students and show them that they can achieve anything. Hopefully, I can spark an interest or a desire that will help them find happiness and success. I cannot wait to see the twinkle in their eyes when they finally grasp a concept or the smiles on their faces when they make a good grade. These little events will keep me inspired from day to day. However, the greatest reward I could ever receive as a teacher would be for a student to come to me years after he or she was in my class and tell me that I made a difference in his or her life. Teaching is a career where you are able to change the world, and that is exactly what I plan to do.
My placement teachers and the teachers I have had throughout my life have definitely influenced my philosophy on education. Although my beliefs concerning education aren’t set in stone, I believe I have more of an Eclectic view on education. My beliefs tend to come from many of the different philosophies rather than one sole philosophy. One of the philosophical approaches I will take during my educational career is Perennialism. This is the traditional and conservative view, and its followers consider school to be an institution designed solely to develop students’ intellect. Perennialists generally follow the beliefs of Aristotle. The perennialist teacher must be a good reader and writer and encourage students to improve both of these skills. Three primary approaches to learning are stresses: didactic teaching of concepts such as, the operations and uses of mathematics; coaching of skills; and seminars in which various topics are discussed in depth through the Socratic method.