Razor's Edge

Contemporary novels have imposed upon the love tribulations of women, throughout the exploration of genre and the romantic quest. Zora Neale Hurston’s Their eyes were watching God (1978) and Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway (2000) interplay on the various tribulations of women, throughout the conventions of the romantic quest and the search for identity. The protagonists of both texts are women and experience tribulations of their own, however, unique from the conventional romantic novels of their predecessors. Such tribulations include the submission of women and the male desire for dominance when they explore the romantic quest and furthermore, the inner struggles of women. Both texts display graphic imagery of the women’s inner experiences through confronting and engaging literary techniques, which enhance the audiences’ reading experience. Hurston’s reconstructions of the genre are demonstrated through a Southern context, which is the exploration of womanhood and innocence. Whilst Woolf’s interpretation of the romantic quest is shown through modernity and an intimate connection with the persona Clarissa Dalloway, within a patriarchal society.

Sigmund Freud said, “A woman should soften but not weaken a man.” This quote exemplifies the character Casilda from Isabel Allende’s short story “The Judge’s Wife”. Although not seen by all as a main character, Casilda is the strongest and most evolutionary character of the short story. “The Judge’s Wife” is an exceptional tale that follows the progression of characters as they fight against their predetermined destinies and how they are viewed in others’ eyes. Casilda is a catalyst for the evolution of almost every character in the story. Not only does her character grow in “The Judge’s Wife”, but she is also a medium for the growth of the two other main characters in the story, Judge

Johnson provides a brief account of the novella 's plot, together with his own perspective on the fact that so much of literature and literary analysis concentrates on the relationships that the characters have. In this case, the author examines the family as composed of children of ineffectual parents. While this writer does not know this with certainty, it is possible that many cases requiring family therapy are due to this very cause. The author then goes on to discuss the family in the context of the greater social system.

As the story continues Larry begins to lose his way and gets in trouble, Lucia tries to protect him from the harm that is coming to him but he continues to make it increasingly difficult for her. When Larry gets in an argument with Lucia about working for bootleggers he ends up pushing her, which is one of the most disrespectful action he could have taken, "The mother rushed across to him and hit him... He gave her a push that sent her staggering... The Le Cinglatas were aghast" (Puzo 69). Not only has Larry disrespected his mother but he did it in front of other people, truly embarrassing her. When Larry disrespects Lucia, it is a sign that she is losing her oldest son to the American ways more and more, which makes her worry for his safety in America. Instead of stressing over losing her son to America, Lucia steps back and lets him figure out what to do with his life on his own.

Isabel, is a girl living in Cuba during Fidel Castro's reign and the economic crisis. Early in the book, a riot occurred against the government's unfair rights and that night Fidel gave the people to leave the country without punishment. “Papi had to leave Cuba. Tonight” (29). Isabel's father had been the one to initiate the riot and the police noticed this action. They said they were going to find him and put him in prison. Isabel’s family knew they must leave the country. After they leave the country on their neighbors raft they can finally see Miami’s shore but the United States coast guard begins to notice them. “don't stop rowing for shore!” Isabel’s grandfather yelled to

In Junot Diaz’s short story “Wildwood,” many may argue that Lola’s mother Belicia deserved admiration for her subconscious overprotection and love for Lola that she portrays in an uncaring, despicable manner and especially because of her strong, independent fight against breast cancer. However, I think that Lola’s mother was unadmirable due to her lack of support, her weak role as a mother, and primarily because of her constant verbal and physical abuse that she bestowed upon her children.

The heroine, Mrs. P, has some carries some characteristics parallel to Louise Mallard in “Hour.” The women of her time are limited by cultural convention. Yet, Mrs. P, (like Louise) begins to experience a new freedom of imagination, a zest for life , in the immediate absence of her husband. She realizes, through interior monologues, that she has been held back, that her station in life cannot and will not afford her the kind of freedom to explore freely and openly the emotions that are as much a part of her as they are not a part of Leonce. Here is a primary irony.

In the book Chains there is a girl named Isabel who is a slave fighting for her freedom. Isabel’s story of fighting for freedom is parallel with the nation's story because they both are running away from something, they both have many obstacles to overcome, and they both are on the losing side of the battle.

Joyce Carols Oates highlights the importance of developing relationships in families. Connie’s future could’ve had a completely different outcome if she would’ve been raised with attention, love, and communication. Arnold would’ve never had the opportunity to manipulate her if she had her family’s protection; however, that was not the case. Connie’s family must live with a guilty conscience knowing that her kidnapping could’ve been avoided if only they were less neglectful towards

This essay will be going through the different types of love, and the power that they wield. Throughout the novel, different characters hold different powers of love. First, Clara’s love towards Ferula and Pedro Segundo will be discussed. And second, Esteban’s obsessiveness with Clara will be looked at closer. The bonds of love are stronger in relationships that aren’t acceptable compared to relationships that are acceptable in society.

The lives of Suitcase Lady and Curley’s wife are full with feelings of loneliness and seclusion, eliciting feelings of pity in those who are reading. Curley’s wife lived during a time in which women had little rights and were considered to be the property of their husbands. The men on the farm would not allow her to talk to them as they feared how Curley would react to his wife talking to men other than himself, “I seen ‘em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jailbait worse than her. You leave her be (24).” George’s words perfectly describe the mentality of the men on the ranch towards Curley’s wife, they viewed her as a trap and piece of jailbait simply because she was a woman who wanted to talk to someone. Living on a ranch with only men who refused to acknowledge her because of her marital status was deeply troubling to both Curley’s wife and the readers, “Think I don’t like to talk to somebody ever’ once in a while? Think I like to stick in that house alla time? (55).” Similarly, Suitcase Lady is immensely isolated because comparable to

Emma compares her opportunities and position in society to those of Leon. While Society encourages him to become cultured, educated, and expand his horizons on the contrary women hinders in that desire may only be just that, but a hopeful wish to be granted by their spouse. Her sadness, not only derives from Leon’s departure, but of her realization of a woman’s bound role under the law and status.

       As the tale begins we immediately can sympathize with the repressive plight of the protagonist.  Her romantic imagination is obvious as she describes the "hereditary estate" (Gilman, Wallpaper 170) or the "haunted house" (170) as she would like it to be.  She tells us of her husband, John, who "scoffs" (170) at her romantic sentiments and is "practical to the extreme" (170).  However, in a time

Women of the 1920’s compared to women today are seen as very passive and were usually domestic wives whose main responsibility was to take care of the house and children. But throughout this decade, women were starting to slowly modernize and become more independent. In The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, Lady Brett Ashley is somewhat portrayed as “the admirable new woman” of the 1920’s-the woman who openly flaunts accepted conventions of the passive, dependent female role in society and emerges as a positive, inspiring, and risk-taking figure in Paris, Pamplona, and Madrid among the male expatriate artists. In the novel, we see Brett as a modern and somewhat inspiring woman through characterization and the analysis of specific moments

Literature includes characters that share common ground but differ for specific reasons. Two characters that are comparable yet distinguished from one another are Madame Loisel and Della Young. These characters are illustrated along with their similar concerns and unique traits and values. Madame Loisel from “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant and Della from “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry are both emotional, however, their dispositions and values contrast.