The novel Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin is set within the Russian high society of the early 19th century. In this society contains various conventions, including attending the extravagant balls that one is invited to, the expectation of marriage, and the ability to duel others to protect one’s honour. Eugene Onegin chooses not to conform to many of these societal expectations, a choice that is detrimental to his social image. Despite this, he is concerned about maintaining his masculinity, which drives him to follow a limited set of norms. Eugene Onegin’s rejection of social standards of Russian high society is rooted in how many social activities were done to be up to date with the latest trends as opposed to their intrinsic entertainment value. Throughout the first chapter, Pushkin gives insight into the routine social life that members of the high society must keep, through following the day in a life of Onegin. When Pushkin describes how “the chime and watch alert them” (I.17) to attend the new ballet in town, there is a feeling of obligation in that Onegin must attend this ballet in order to be with the trend. This is further emphasized by the fact that he does not attend the ballet for its entire duration, and that he explicitly expresses his boredom by saying, “‘It’s time for something new … I’ve suffered ballets long enough, / But now Didelot is boring stuff’” (I.21). It is evident that Onegin is not at the ballet to be entertained, but rather because he is
Social inequality is an uncivilized ranking scale which was created by simple minded people who held the fear being surpassed. The argument made by Harper Lee in her work To Kill a Mockingbird is that social inequality is a hierarchy that is complex and affects everyone. More specifically, the author argues that the racial boundaries put between the black and white during the 1930’s caused great stress. This is proven in the novel multiple times. The people of Maycomb judge one another based on the background and wealth of their families. Not only do they judge each other within the community, they discriminate against anyone different than them. Social inequality does not only exist in the form of racism, there are many forms; some of the major ones appear in this book. Social inequality based purely on family background, social inequality based on the wealth of the individual and family, and racism. These are three of the major forms of social inequality that appear numerous times in the book.
In Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns, there is a constant recurring theme of oppression. In the beginning of the book shortly after Mariam is married to Rasheed, the first sign of oppression is shown. Mariam cooked bad rice for Rasheed, and Rasheed was very upset with this, so he went outside, got some pebbles, and made her chew on it. Rasheed then proceeds to say: ““Now you’ve known what you’ve given in this marriage. Bad food, and nothing else.” Then he was gone, leaving Mariam to spit out pebbles, blood, and the fragments of two broken molars” (104). In this example, oppression is clearly shown when Rasheed literally makes Mariam chew rocks due to a bad dinner. Another good example of oppression in A Thousand Splendid Suns was how Nana talked about men being very oppressive when Mariam was a
In the book ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee, racism and social inequality are two central themes. Many different forms of social inequality coexist in the society depicted in the book, as the people of Maycomb are very rigid in their ways. This is because the book takes place in a time at which there was much racism and social inequality. In Maycomb, firstly there is discrimination between rich and poor white people, who do not often interact with each other. There is also racism against blacks by all white people in society, both rich and poor. Black people are denied basic rights and discriminated against in this town. Lastly, there is racism between the lowest classes of the community: poor white people and
Masculinity has changed and evolved since the beginning of human creation. Males have had to adhere to the social norms of their time to survive without undue persecution. In the beginning of the 19th century, there was a shift in the way men could attain manhood. It was no longer easy for a man to enter into manhood with straightforward expectations and rituals. The state of manhood became difficult to obtain because of its precarious nature. During the same period, the industrial revolution was in full bloom giving birth to mass information outlets like newspapers, magazines, and advertisement: media. This set a prevailing state where boys and men alike could gain material on how to become or be men
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, oppression is defined as the “exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner.” Throughout the world, minority groups, which are subordinate to those who have significant amounts of power in society, have experienced some form of oppression, whether it’s institutionalized or social. Minority groups can be classified by skin color, gender, religion, ethnicity, and much more. There are a plethora of diverse¹ minority groups within the United States that authorities refuse to treat in a humane² manner, which can be seen in news reports daily. In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, there is a depiction of the exploitation of people of certain races and mental states.
Looking back on history men’s and women’s roles haven’t always been divided; both genders were needed to work and provide and until the fourteen hundreds, they wore the same clothing. Men’s fashion developed to show the reality of their bodies with apparel such as tights, while women’s bodies were accentuated in tight bodices. Bordo shows us that as men’s clothing became more comfortable and utilitarian their role in society followed suit. Men today are supposed to be active; they are workers, the penetrators, the ones in control. Advertisements in the essay show us men continually portrayed as “rocks,” aggressively facing the camera or actively working. When women appear, they are simply to be gazed at and admired for their beauty. The images of men acting coincide with society’s standard of men being the
Social inequality based entirely on race affects people who don’t deserve it. To Kill a Mockingbird original publication was in 1960, it is a classic novel written by Harper Lee, the book is set in 1933 to 1935. To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in a small town called Maycomb, Alabama and follows two years in the life of 7-year old Scout Finch, her brother Jem, and their father Atticus, an attorney who hopelessly strives to prove the innocence of a black man accused of rape. The book also talks about Boo Radley, a mysterious neighbour who saves Scout and her brother Jem from being killed. The definition of social and legal codes are social codes made up of rules and standards, and a legal system is a code of laws made by a state or nation. Throughout the book, social and legal codes are exploited by people to help maintain their social status. In Maycomb County, social and legal laws harm black people to protect white people, such as Atticus Finch, Bob Ewell, and Tom Robinson.
Aleksandar Nikitenko was among one of the serfs who served in Russia during the early 1800s. He was born from Ukraininan parents in Voronezh Province. His parents, soon along with Aleksandar, were serfs of the immensely wealthy Sheremetev family. Nikitenko’s father was chosen at a very early age to go to Moscow to sing in Count Sheremetev’s choir. While there, he received an education that allowed him to pursue intellectual interests. Nikitenko looked up to his father and believed that having to be kept in bondage despite his knowledge was entirely unfair. Throughout his life, Nikitenko is accepted by intelligent teachers for being quite knowledgeable. However, he is time and time again held inferior because of his social status. His family, had it not been for serfdom, would have probably been a part of a provincial middle class because of their associations with nobles and merchants.
There are certain people who think we create our own destiny in life. They believe that we are born as equals, and we shape and mold our future based upon our choices. Then, there are others who believe our destiny is predetermined before we are even born. They think that greatness or failure is beyond our grasp, that the life of a human is like a roadmap, and every destination is marked for our arrival. As much as I’d like to believe that everyone starts life with a clean slate, his or her chances of success as equal as everyone else’s, I don’t think there is true equality at birth. Children are born into impoverished families, who require their kids to stay home and work rather than get an education. There are kids who are born into families of abuse, neglect, and harsh words. In society, we do not begin life as equals. “Beyond the Beautiful Forevers” by Katherine Boo discusses inequality throughout the entire story. Weather it is Fatima the one leg, women, or the poor trash collectors of the slums, Katherine provides rich insight into a society that is riddled with corruption, where nothing is equivalent at all. By showing how people are born unequal, Katherine reveals the true theme of the book; inequality throughout society.
The United States of America has long been viewed by itself and others as the epitome of a free and idealistic society. But, many wonder if this country has truly lived up to these words of high praise. America was founded on the ideals of liberty, equality, opportunity, democracy, and rights. Through careful examination of American history, it was clear that America has not always lived up to the ideals stated in the Declaration of Independence.
One of the biggest similarities between Kirn and Nick can be seen when he reads The Great Gatsby, and like Nick, yearns to leave his hometown in Minnesota and head East. Just like Fitzergald, Kirn goes to Princeton University to study. He notices that there is no society is ever a pure meritocracy. In The Great Gatsby, Nick and Fitzgerald critique the idea that America is a meritocracy where anyone can rise to the top with enough hard work. Kirn also notices how his “club [wasn’t] one of the rich, exclusive outfits, where the pedigreed children of the establishment eat chocolate-dipped strawberries off silver trays carried by black waiters in starched white uniforms, but one that anyone can join, where geeks and misfits lineup with plastic plates for veggie burgers and canned fruit salad,” corresponding with the differences between the West Egg and the East Egg that Nick notices. The West Egg people are the ones who spent their lives working up to their power and money, while everyone who lived in the East Egg inherited their money since birth. The East Egg people are in their own bubble, mingling and marrying their own kind and displaying their money everywhere, just like the students in the rich clubs. Kirn worked hard to reach he is, just like Nick noticed with Gatsby, who worked hard to reach his wealthy status. After being exposed to the life of Princeton, Kirn realizes that “back then [he] knew where [he] was going, and that to get there [he’d] have to keep a clear
American Horror Story “Edward Mordrake” shows the inequality between Social classes. Elsa is the main character of American Horror Story and she is the leader/boss of the freaks. She owns the freak show itself. She believes that she is the most important person alive and she is better than everyone else. Bette and Dot are siamese twins that believe that they should have the same opportunities as Elsa for the show, but Elsa doesn’t agree. In American Horror Story, “Edward Mordrake”, Elsa has the highest socioeconomic status and uses it to oppress her subordinate. This demonstrates the inequalities that exist between social classes.
Typical gender roles and inequality for women are illustrated in other 19th century Russian literature by authors such as Alexander Pushkin, Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Mikhail Lermontov and Nikolay Karamzin. In Alexander Pushkin’s novel Eugene Onegin, Tatyana’s family sends her off to Moscow to find a husband, even though she would rather remain in the country. Once she is married however, “Young ladies flocked to her intently,/ And old ones welcomed her with smiles,/ Men bowed to her more reverently/ And sought her glance across the aisles” (Alexander Pushkin, Eugene Onegin, Ardis Publishing, p.202). Tatyana settles into her role as an obedient wife just like her mother did, and she is widely respected as her husband’s wife because she’s obedient and doesn’t have “A single blemish of the kind/ That London’s fashionable classes/ In their fastidious slang decry/ As vulgar” (Pushkin, p.202). Women were expected to find a suitable man to marry, and then they had to obey
Inequalities exist an all aspects of life. The nature and result of such inequalities shapes our social as well as economic lives. As people progress through their educational life certain inequalities will result in different outcomes of schooling for different sets of people. “In post war Britain pupils from a working class background are constantly found to gain fewer academic qualifications, to be under represented in institutions of higher education and to end up in jobs offering little opportunity for social advancement'; (Brown 1987 p11). It is inequalities such as these that are present both in and out of school that will determine life chances of individuals. It is commonly accepted that education is the main
In briefly evaluating the classical and modern explanations of social inequality, it is essential that we step outside the realm of our own lives, class position, and discard any assumptions we might have about the nature of inequality. This process of critical pedagogy allows us to view our world, not from our perspective, but from a wider, more critical analysis of inequality's nature. Also, it should be considered within this wider perspective that all theories of inequality have a class perspective, where the theorist, based on the position their theory takes, is making claims from (or for) a particular class (whether they want to or not). With this in mind, it seems that most of these theories come