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Comparing Macbeth And Great Expectations

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There are more than enough examples from Macbeth and Great Expectations to prove that “subversion of gender roles,” a term that describes someone acting in a way that is not expected from those of their said gender, is evident in both writing pieces. There are a number of connections between the women of the play and novel; this can be seen in their stern, powerful and leader-like and always changing personalities that a number of female characters share. For instance, Miss Havisham’s burning hatred for men that she implemented into Estella 's mind, to Lady Macbeth’s level of ambition to have her husband become king. Others include similarities in levels of knowledge, even though they were considered “commoners” on a part of the social ladder where a lack of knowledge is expected, and examples of how they use their high levels of knowledge to their advantage. This can also be considered evidence of subversion of gender roles; women at the time were not expected to be knowledgeable by society as they are now. Other connections would be based on the topic of visual appearance overall, with connections to how they portray themselves to other characters and the reader throughout. The women of these two works show an exceptionable amount of power, control and capability of holding a family together a number of times throughout the novel and the play. A leading factor in this is their personalities- they spoke their mind, and were not afraid of the consequences. which happen to be

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