E L James Fifty Shades of Grey is a proud attempt to allow for readers to escape daily life. The book illustrates the dimensions of a relationship between the mysterious and eligible billionaire Christian Grey and virginal college student Anastasia Steele in the 21st century with elements of the lifestyle practices of Bondage, Dominance, Submission and Masochism (BDSM). E.L. James’ erotica novel is written from the perspective of college student Anastasia Steele. Within the first book, the author illustrates to the reader the BDSM dynamic of the relationship between Anastasia and Christian. Critical to this book, is the consensus between the two adults allowing for the BDSM practices to occur. This paper will review how feminists are quick …show more content…
Ana has the right to self – determination, meaning that her aspirations in life are not being dictated to her from society. Ana has the capability of making her own decisions without being influenced. She was aware that when she signed the contract, that she was agreeing to being treated in a submissive way. Most importantly Ana was offered the option to walk out of the relationship “You can leave anytime… It’s fine whatever you decide.” as well as “A contract saying what we will and won’t do. I need to know your limits and you need to know mine. This is consensual, Anastasia.” (James 2011: 70, 74) These two statements show that Anastasia had an option, that she could make the decision rather than being forced into a relationship that she could not fully commit to. Anastasia is not at all being subjected into an abusive relationship, in fact the contract provides “safe words” in which the submissive is meant to use when harm is inflicted. Christian’s intentions of the relationship as stated on the first page of the contract reads as follows: “… is to allow the submissive to explore her sensuality and her limits safely, with due respect and regard for her needs, her limits and her wellbeing.” (James 2011: 117). Anastasia as a character should be celebrated as a post-modern symbol of women who have the ability to make their own decisions with regards to their bodies, sexual lives and aspirations for the future. To conclude, critics of the Fifty Shades of Grey, should attempt to critically analyse the book with the remembrance of individualism and sexual
We have to truly take initiative in order to express our ideas regarding our feminist movement. We must take all our concerns in order to foster personal liberation and growth. The archaic social, psychological, and economic practices that discriminate against women must be ordeals of the past. We must compose new practices in order to develop a post-revolutionary society. This movement will require strategy, organization, commitment, and devotion; it may be a long battle, but I believe that we will end in triumph.
While women continue to be ranked as the weaker sex by popular opinion, feminists have bright hopes in a change towards their liberation. As Rebecca Solnit stated, “feminism has just started and it’s not stopping now. We are witnessing a full-fledged war, not of the sexes but of gender roles”(Solnit). Feminism and the right to equality has been a long and arduous struggle for women before the Civil Rights Act. The Feminine Mystique sparked a change, questioning society, which continues today as women fight for equal treatment regardless of laws that claim for their protection. Feminists will continue to fight for the day where women will be treated as equals, where there will be no gender bias, and for the day when a woman can state her mind, just as her male counterpart, without being called an uptight
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.
Women’s participation in school or the workplace are negatively affected because of the fear of violence, and many long-term health consequences arise from physical and sexual abuse. Heartbreakingly, a woman in South Africa has a “greater chance of being raped than she has of learning to read” (Tracy 6). In the patriarchal society of China, infants or fetuses face death simply for being born female (Tracy 18). After reading the reported incidences of violence against women, it is nothing but frustrating to hear women not supporting feminism. They do not need feminism because they represent a victory for this movement with the freedom to work alongside men, attend school, and choose their life partners. However, as shown in International Violence Against Women, there are many women and girls begging for a change. This population is the next victory for
Women imbued with a spirit of radicalism understood that a liberal feminist attitude, despite the seeming slowness of change that accompanies it, may transform a community more rapidly than a revolutionary approach that alienates those to be convinced and, thus, extinguishes the possibility of improvement. (Weaver 49)
What is it about sex that makes everyone so uncomfortable? Upon reading Randa Jarrar’s A Map of Home, one of the major themes that the novel goes in depth about is Nidali’s sexual awakening. Many students would argue that this novel is littered with too much sexual activity, i.e. masturbation. However, A Map of Home is a novel about finding your place in this world; the search for your identity and purpose. Sexual identity plays a significant part of that continuum. You may question, “Well, could you have figure out a way to describe her story without all the sex stuff?” This statement would demolish the novel’s relatable and sheer honest tone, as well as disintegrate the genuineness behind the narrative if Jarrar would omit Nidali’s sexual experiences. The complete fact that young teenagers do think about sex so often makes one grasp the true relatability this novel showcases through the main character’s sexual experiences. In this essay, I plan to explore the importance of sexual awakening, Nidali’s own reasons for experimenting with her sexuality, and what we can ultimately learn from being open with what we want in that context.
It is believed by the author that the feminist movement in many ways parallels the struggles faced by African Americans in the US during the same time period. The authors will offer ideas on where the pro...
The most related terms when women’s right is brought up are feminism and feminist. A feminist, by definition, is someone the fights for feminism. The definition of feminism, one the other hand, is very complex. Throughout history, the word has continuously had bad images and connotations thrown its wa...
After their first encounter, Anastasia and Christian both agree on some dominance-submission terms as the relationship progresses. Fifty Shades of Grey currently makes the top of my favourites list. I first heard about Fifty Shades of Grey from a few close friends who couldn’t stop talking about Christian Grey’s impeccable looks, charming and bossy personality, and sexual abilities. After a lot of convincing, I read the book; I needed to understand why the book was so popular, and what it was about that intrigued millions of young girls and women. The first time I read it, I couldn’t stop- it was intriguing, enthralling, different, and realistic.
Feminist Theory is an aspect of considering feminism as having been based on socio-phenomenon issues rather than biological or scientific. It appreciates gender inequality, analyzes the societal roles played by feminists in a bid to promote the interests, issues and rights of women in the society. It is also based on the assumption that women play subsidiary roles in the society. The whole idea of feminism has however experienced hurdles in the form of stereotyping by the wider society. This paper tries to examine some of the effects of stereotypes that feminism goes through, what other philosophers say and the way forward towards ending stereotyping.
Tyler Perry’s Temptation highlights the struggles presented to a young African American woman whose strong Christian beliefs counteract a sin stricken society. The main character, Judith, attempts to overcome the difficult obstacles that were placed in her path by fighting the sexual urges that she craves. Judith came to realize that her urges began to transform from wants and desires to real actions; Judith’s deepest desires were becoming reality. The encounters Judith faced on a daily basis began as an emotional and mental attraction that led to a more physical relationship. These continuous urges began to take over Judith’s well-being as she began to fall more and more into the depths of sinful behavior. The idea of sexual freedom consumed Judith’s mind and spirit which turned her against her own religious beliefs, and eventually lead her down a path that she would regret for the rest of her life.
As women, those of us who identify as feminists have rebelled against the status quo and redefined what it means to be a strong and powerful woman. But at what cost do these advances come with?... ... middle of paper ... ... Retrieved April 12, 2014, from http://www.feminist.com/resources/artspeech/genwom/whatisfem.htm Bidgood, J. 2014, April 8 -.
Throughout history, women have remained subordinate to men. Subjected to the patriarchal system that favored male perspectives, women struggled against having considerably less freedom, rights, and having the burdens society placed on them that had been so ingrained the culture. This is the standpoint the feminists took, and for almost 160 years they have been challenging the “unjust distribution of power in all human relations” starting with the struggle for equality between men and women, and linking that to “struggles for social, racial, political, environmental, and economic justice”(Besel 530 and 531). Feminism, as a complex movement with many different branches, has and will continue to be incredibly influential in changing lives.
At the end of the 19th and start of the 20th centuries, a series of events occurred that would be known as the feminist movement. During this time, many women were starting to change the way they thought of themselves and wanted to change their social roles. In his views on feminist analysis Donald Hall says, “Feminist methodologies focus on gender.and explore the complex ways in which women have been denied social power and the right to various forms of self-expression. In this context the many perspectives that fall under the heading ‘feminism’ vary wildly”(Hall 199). Since women were denied social power and self-expression, they went against what society saw as acceptable, a patriarchal world.
The first intimacy they have is a long kissing in the evaluator, and Christian is the initiative one. He always signs the contract with the lady before he can touch her. But, he kisses Ana without signing the contract. This shows the man dominance in this relationship, which means he can break the rules, but the girl can’t.