19th Century Women

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Many conflicting expectations were imposed on women by society during the early 19th century. Women were subjected to such stereotypes that limited what gender was thought to be capable of. During the 19th century women were portrayed in a position that is dominated by men and their cry for freedom and equality were rarely heard. I have chosen the story "Bird Song" by Chimamand Ngozi Adichie and the story "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid as my primary sources. My objective is to show the readers how Class and Social standing of women during the early 19th century made it impossible for them to be a part of the society with such equal rights as men. Women only enjoyed a few of the legal, social, or political rights during the 19th …show more content…

The Narrator shows the reader’s different occasions where she is treated differently because she is a woman. The main issue of this story is Human vs Society which women had to deal with every day of their lives. When the boss asked Chikwado or the narrator to serve the cake she says "Every time someone brings in a cake, it is either Chikwado serves it or I serve it"(445). This shows how Human vs Society is in play. They were ordered to serve the cake each time just because they were the only women at their workplace. This also shows us characteristics of sexism and the lack of equality they had. Another example of Human vs Society is when the narrator and her lover is at the restaurant she says "Why do all of you waiters and gatemen and drivers in this Lagos refuse to greet me? Do you not see me?" (443). This shows us how women during the 19th century were looked down on. The narrator helps the reader understand what it is like to be a woman who is having an affair with a married man, and moreover, to be doing so in Lagos, Nigeria. She feels invisible and feels she is being pushed in to the shadows. Adichie knows that she is just as human as her lover and she is worthy of the

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