The theme of Gwendolyn Brooks's "Sadie and Maud" is that going against the grain of society is perfectly acceptable. Brooks conveys this message by depicting two contrasting sisters: Maud, who follows the rules of society, and Sadie, who does not allow social expectations to dictate her life. The poem explains how these women lead very different lives that reflect the choices they make. Brooks begins the poem with the statement "Maud went to college" (1). Very early, she leads the reader to see that Maud conforms to society's standards. Maud chooses a path that is governed by the rules and beliefs of the world around her. Throughout the poem, Brooks describes Maud judging her less conventional sister for the choices she makes. When Brooks writes that "Maud and Ma and Papa / nearly died of shame" (11-12) when Sadie has two illegitimate children, she emphasizes that Maud is controlled by the rules of society. In line two, Brooks introduces Sadie, whose name means "princess." Unlike Maud, "Sadie stays home" (2), choosing not to go to college and scraping life "with a fine toothed comb" (2-4). Through this description, Brooks shows Sadie living life to the fullest, not concerning herself with what society expects from her. The lines "Sadie was one of the livingest chits / in all the land" (7-8) paints a picture of a saucy girl out on the town. Brooks implies that Sadie could be counted upon to have fun with everyone and everything. Next, Brooks depicts Sadie going against the grain of society once again by having children out of wedlock. Brooks concludes the poem by explaining how Sadie's children receive an incredible gift of vitality from her. Sadie's daughters lead lives that are guided by their mother's example rather than by the restraints of society. Then there is Maud, "a thin brown mouse," "living all alone / in this old house" (18-20). Brooks uses this image of solitude to convey her message one last time. By doing only what society expects--by going to college and living a "respectable" life that is free of risk--one is likely to become unhappy and ultimately to die alone.
Among them are only four women of all ages: the Grandma, the Mother and her two daughters, the pregnant Rose of Sharon and the young Ruthie. Appearing in Chapter Eight, the mother, who is referred to as “Ma”, holds a decisive role in Steinbeck’s novel. She is, along with her son Tom (the main character of the book), present from the early stage of the story until its very end. We will attempt to trace back her emotional journey (I) as well as to analyze its universal aspects and to deliver an overall impression on the book (II). Steinbeck describes Ma as a strong woman, physically “heavy, thick with childbearing and work” (Chap.8).
The time Maud spends receiving her education is spent by Sadie enjoying her life. Maud, the educated sister, ends up “all alone in this old house” at the end of her life, while Sadie “left as heritage her fine-toothed comb” for her children. This result is not just a statement against education, but a statement against society. According to this poem, no matter which path a person chooses, there will be a negative in their life. If someone exceeds societal expectations as Maud does, then they will be accepted by society, yet sad. In contrast, the complete opposite path that Sadie follows allows her to be happy, but she is rejected and disrespected by society. Society has made impossible standards for African-American women; if they want to be happy, they will be rejected by society. When what limited opportunities available to women are seized, they are unable to enjoy their lives. The poem Sadie and Maud comments on the impossible standards set forth by society for African-American women, and even women in
She writes a letter to husband, almost instructing him on what to do after her death. Unlike other demure housewives of her time, she acknowledges the risk birthing her child brings by saying, “And when thy loss shall be repaid with gains / Look to my little babes, my dear remains” (107). Bradstreet also approaches a taboo subject by acknowledging that her husband might remarry. Bradstreet does not tread lightly on this subject either by writing, “And if thou love thyself, or loved’st me, / These o protect from step Dames injury” (107). In this poem, Bradstreet faces the possibility of not only the loss of her life but the loss of her husband’s love. Bradstreet challenges Puritan beliefs by showing that she will still be concerned with her earthly life after her
Miss Maudie does not believe in bragging or spreading rumors about others. As she states, "people in there right minds never take pride in their talents", (page 130 chapter 10). Miss Maudie explains how people who are good will not except pride in their talents, they will be more quiet about them and keep it to themselves. Miss Maudie also shows great strength when her house gets burned down, as she states, "always wanted a smaller house. Gives more yard. Just think, I'll have more room for my azaleas now!", (chapter 8 page 97). Miss Maudie tries to overlook the negative side of her home being lost forever and tries to focus on the
Another factor that clearly brings out the theme is the fact that she claims that orderliness of family roses is her pride. However she may not necessarily be that orderly as depicted in the development of that story. The author of the story Shirley Jackson uses the author and her ambiguous cha...
My introduction : Throughout the novel, many are lonely. Of the characters, Curley's wife, Crooks and Candy all show signs of desperate loneliness, though they respond quite differently. Each is isolated because of special mistreatment. Because Crooks is black, he is shunned and separated from the other men. He spends most of his time in his room, alone and bitter. Curley's wife also spends her days hounded by her mean, spirited husband; her attempts to reach out to the other men backfire and win the the undeserved reputation of a flirt. Candy has a disadvantage being handicap, and he has an unconditional love for an old and feeble and after his dog is shot he looks for new companionship. Throughout the characters of Curley's wife, Crooks and Candy, Steinbeck proves that one can be lonely, even if he's constantly surrounded by people.
The author portrays the girls in completely opposite personalities as lifestyles. These drastic descriptions are the basis of the mother’s perceptions. Dee is described as: “..determined to stare down any disaster in her efforts.” versus Maggie who is described as: “She knows she is not bright.” This gives the perception that Dee is a strong independent women that gets what she desires
Maud Martha Brown had strong ideas regarding marriage. She set out to conquer the role as wife, in spite of and because of her insecurities and personal hardships. Unlike the rose-colored images that enveloped the minds of many traditional (white) women during that period of the 1940s and 50s, Maud Martha set her sights on being a bride under the simplest conditions. Maud Martha was prepared to settle for being good enough to marry, rather than being a woman no man could refuse. Her position in society, her relationships with her family, and her overall existence in society greatly influenced Maud Martha's ideas regarding the male-female union. Though still influenced by her former roles, the final chapters of Gwendolyn Brooks' Maud Martha reveals an undeniably stronger and more mature heroine.
Similarly to the way people hold expectations for the daystar, or sun, to rise every day, mothers are expected to perform their duties like cleaning the house or taking care of the children. Both are taken advantage of and are not fully appreciated until they stop performing their duties. Throughout the poem, the woman’s daughter and husband are given names, “Liza” (line 12) and “Thomas” (line 17) respectively, but not her. The woman is only referred to as “she” or “her” which further highlights the lack of acknowledgement she receives. The mother is taken for granted by her family and is not regarded as important. Her efforts are ignored and she is never thanked for completing her tasks around the house because that is the role she is “supposed” to fulfill.
...right for her family. Rose rarely thought of herself. Her dream of a happy marriage would no longer be. Could she somehow relate to this poem?
Steinbeck is very successful in creating sympathy throughout her character change and he presents her in this way to prove that the majority of women went through similar situations. This leads us to sympathise with all people society deems to be ‘inferior’ and we can even apply this lesson to today’s society.
...sed society with religious overtones throughout the poem, as though religion and God are placing pressure on her. The is a very deep poem that can be taken in may ways depending on the readers stature yet one thing is certain; this poem speaks on Woman’s Identity.
When writing poetry, there are many descriptive methods an author may employ to communicate an idea or concept to their audience. One of the more effective methods that authors often use is linking devices, such as metaphors and similes. Throughout “The Elder Sister,” Olds uses linking devices effectively in many ways. An effective image Olds uses is that of “the pressure of Mother’s muscles on her brain,” (5) providing a link to the mother’s expectations for her children. She also uses images of water and fluidity to demonstrate the natural progression of a child into womanhood. Another image is that of the speaker’s elder sister as a metaphorical shield, the one who protected her from the mental strain inflicted by their mother.
The story Little Women takes place at a time when women were taking on uncustomary roles like physical laborer, family protector and provider, and military volunteer while their husbands served during the Civil War. Keeping within the boundaries of the time, Louisa May Alcott uses herself and her own three sisters to create this classical novel from personal experiences. Each sister is different. They each set goals and dreams for their selves whether it goes along with their contemporary society or not. With the assistance of their mother, friends and experiences, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy struggle between their personal expectations and society’s expectations as they plan for their future and choose their destinies.
She defines her idea of what is right in a relationship by describing how hard and painful it is for her to stray from that ideal in this instance. As the poem evolves, one can begin to see the author having a conflict with values, while simultaneously expressing which values are hers and which are unnatural to her. She accomplishes this accounting of values by personalizing her position in a somewhat unsettling way throughout the poem.