Analysis Of The Revolt Of Mother

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The insights of Martha Cutter take on a very feminist point of view, especially in the criticism of “The Revolt of ‘Mother’” by Mary Wilkins Freeman. Sarah Penn, who is “Mother” in the story, embodies the common suppressed woman of the time. Cutter, author of “Frontiers of Language: Engendering Discourse in ‘The Revolt of “Mother,”’’ explains that Sarah Penn is living in a very patriarchal time (Cutter 279). There are many instances of this in the story for example; when father wants to build a new barn, he builds it. Mother on the other hand has wanted a new house for forty years and has yet to receive what she has been promised. “The Revolt of ‘Mother’” shows a voiceless woman’s defiance under the stronghold of her husband’s influence.
From this article one can take away that Sarah Penn is in a patriarchal environment that limits her ability to speak freely. Her methods in getting her point across are very unconventional for the time such as moving all of the family’s items from their home into the new barn with the intention of converting it into a home (Freeman 160). Another example of Sarah Penn living in an anti-feminist environment is when she continuously asks Father why he is building the barn. Father’s answer is repeated almost robotically as he states “I ain’t got nothin’ to say” (Freeman 156). According to Cutter, Sarah Penn is treated this way because women had such a low stance in the society they were living in that the animals were treated in a higher regard (Cutter 279). In Sarah Penn’s case, the cows were built a new barn before she was allowed a new house, which shows the blatant disregard for her status in the home.
The article is excellent in convincing one that “The Revolt of ‘Mother’” is a short story ...

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...the language and power, and to change this status would be difficult” (Cutter 285). This was a pre-determined role for women and to break out of such a strong stereotype takes a strong woman with a lot to say. Cutter also explains the only way for Sarah Penn to break out of this stereotype is to take her future into her own hands and to do this she must master the art of language.
This article gives one a lot to think about as far as patriarchy in the eighteen and nineteen hundreds and lack of feminism in that time. It explains how, once “locked out of language” (Cutter 285), it is nearly impossible to re-enter the speaking world and gain equality. The eloquently put feminist opinion of Sarah Penn’s ascent into recognition is a must read for those who are attempting to understand one of the most logical reasons as to why women are, at times, regarded as inferior.

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