Mrs India Bridge Stereotypes

Gender roles have been an object of interest and conversation for centuries. In today’s society, being a woman is a defining quality, arguably more than being a man. Women are the building blocks of society, but often treated as second class citizens. The literary world is not exempt from this unfortunate injustice. It is a difficult feat to find a literary piece depicting a woman who does not conform to one of these many roles forced upon women. Whether the woman portrayed is a schoolgirl, a mother, a businesswoman, or a common housewife, chances are there is a stereotype that can be found in her character. Evan S. Connell’s The Beau Monde of Mrs. Bridge is the perfect representation of the common stereotype that plagued women in the early to mid twentieth century. Mrs. India Bridge is the typical suburban housewife of the early 20th century; her main responsibilities are to watch the kids, cook, clean, and look pretty. Mrs. Bridge’s mundane life is one run by her husband while she stands next to him looking pretty. Her husband, Mr. Walter Bridge, makes sure she has no business forming her own opinions or learning about the world …show more content…

Bridge and Olive Kitteridge, Jeffrey Eugenides’ The Virgin Suicides contains classic gender stereotypes. The topic of gender roles is strongly present and demonstrated through all five of the Lisbon sisters: Cecelia, Lux, Therese, Bonnie and Mary. Since the story takes place in suburban Detroit during the 1970’s, gender inequality is prevalent throughout the novel. During that time period and somewhat still relevant to this current era, women who were comfortable with their sexuality were often seen as promiscuous and looked down upon. Women were supposed to wait to have sex until marriage and were to act conservative. In fact, Mrs. Lisbon, the overbearing and oppressive mother of the girls, actively forces these gender biases and roles on her daughters, which eventually leads to their