Countess Olenka Balance Of Power

Throughout history, women have been viewed as the less dominant and less powerful gender. Gender has been used as a primary way of signifying relationships of power. In Kindred by Octavia E. Butler, the role of gender in power dynamics in both the 19th and 20th century is explored through the journey of the main character, Dana. In the novel, Dana time travels back and forth in time to the 1800’s and back to her present time of 1976. Throughout her time travel experience, the different roles and powers women held in both the 19th and 20th century are portrayed through the characters of Dana, Margaret, and Sarah.

     Though men and women are now recognized as generally equal in talent and intelligence, when Susan Glaspell wrote "A Jury of Her Peers" in 1917, it was not so. In this turn-of-the-century, rural midwestern setting, women were often barely educated and possessed virtually no political or economic power. And, being the "weaker sex," there was not much they could do about it. Relegated to home and hearth, women found themselves at the mercy of the more powerful men in their lives. Ironically, it is just this type of powerless existence, perhaps, that over the ages developed into a power with which women could baffle and frustrate their male counterparts: a sixth sense - an inborn trait

The next requirement for being a “true woman” was submissiveness. According to society men were superior to women by “God’s appointment.” If they acted otherwise they “tampered with the order of the Universe” (Welter 105). A “true woman” would not question this idea because she already understands her place. Grace Greenwood explained to the women of the Nineteenth Century, “True feminine genius is ever timid, doubtful, and clingingly dependant; a perpetual childhood.” Even in the case of an abusive husband, women were sometimes told to stay quiet

The year is 1828 and Andrew Jackson has beat Adams in the campaign for presidency, ultimately leading to the creation of “The Jacksonian Democracy.” Jackson, who came from nothing in comparison to the wealthy, well-educated Adams represented the “common man” and fought for their rights. Looking at America in this light, we see an equalized democracy growing in America, however America seems to have forgotten about the women and blacks that make up more then half the population of the common man. Therefore, America is not growing into a democratized nation, but a nation that favors the white man.

Throughout the Victorian Age, male dominance deprived women from freedom of choice. In Charlotte Brontë’s novel, Jane Eyre, Jane Eyre repeatedly struggles to become an independent young lady due to the troublesome men in the story. There are several male characters who control, humiliate, and abuse their power over Jane. The author manages to depict patriarchal dominance through the characterization of John Reed, Mr. Brocklehurst, and Mr. Rochester.

Throughout history, gender roles have been an important barrier in society. Women are forced to satisfy expectations established by men and society. “My Last Duchess,” by Robert Browning, focuses on the powerful Duke establishing certain expectations of the Duchess, and attempting to control her. Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, concentrates on Laertes establishing certain expectations of Ophelia, and seeking to control her. A Room of One’s Own, by Virginia Woolf, centers on societal expectations of Judith, and her father trying to control her. In all three texts, men have the ability to control women and have the freedom to do as they please. Women must conform to the expectations of faithfulness, attentiveness, and chastity.

In “A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell and “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner, both authors introduce female protagonists that are confined by men’s authority. By displaying the protagonist's transformation, Glaspell and Faulkner highlight the repercussions of gender roles, to show that when women are trapped, they will go to great lengths to retaliate against their oppressors.

The purpose of this Extended Essay is to challenge the general categorization of male as heroes in novels through one of Edith Wharton’s best novels by examining the question “How does Edith Wharton manifest the role of May Welland and Ellen Olenska in foreshadowing the plot of The Age of Innocence?” The scope of this essay encompasses two works; first a critical analysis of the character, May and second, an analysis of the character, Ellen, regarding their roles as foreteller and heroines in the novel. The unique use of Mythology by Wharton as symbols to portray her two leading female characters, in the era of the Gilded Age, is what initially drew me to write an essay on this topic. This essay thus explores Wharton’s use of mythology

The pressure of conformity affects individual expression and varies in degrees in which it impacts an individual’s life. Regardless of time period, conformity is able to force individualists to abide by the social standards inculcated into society and deemphasize the importance behind individualism. In the 1920s, New York City adopted a structure parallel to conformity in its figurative hierarchy after the grief and devastation of World War I. With fear of the unknown, a reestablishment of tradition and routine followed, including an adaptation to the use of silences. The individuals with class and power used silence as a vehicle to conform and unify but, free-willed individuals gave another purpose to silence. It became a tool to express

Newland declares to the table that women have the right to be “as free as [men] are” (Age of Innocence 38). As the women talk further about Ellen, Newland states that he is sick of the “hypocrisy that would bury a woman” for preferring to be with her husband, contrary to what others believe (Age of Innocence 37). Newland sees a small connection between the women’s opinions and his own relationship with Ellen. He begins to see he must make a choice between Ellen and May, unbeknownst to him that his choice will be what is “socially acceptable” to old New York (“Edith Wharton” 2). Newland then decided that May should have the same “freedom of experience” he has (Age of Innocence 42).

Since the beginning of time, people have said that, “Fashion is an instant language” ( Prada). Belts, shoes, fabrics, and color have allowed people to say something about themselves without talking. In Edith Wharton’s Age of Innocence, May Welland and Ellen Olenska are cousins, but do not dress the same at all. Their fashion choices describe who they are and allow them to make a statement for themselves. May is considered a conformist while Ellen is a more non-conformist.

2012530058 Zhou, Xuanchen American Lit Ms. Davis 27th Dec, 2015 Diana with Preserving Fluid in Veins and Savage Bride in an Opera Box: Wharton's Allusions in "The Age of Innocence" to Primitive and Pagan Myths and Beliefs When reading the comment of Archer made on Mrs. Welland's simulation of reluctance at the time she hears about the engagement of her daughter and Archer, comparing her action to the "Primitive" culture in which "savage bride is dragged with shrieks from her parents' tent (Wharton, 22). ", most of the students of American Lit must be reminded of the allusion to the anthropology works as The Golden Bough made by Wharton's contemporary authors such as T.S.Eliot, who happened to have tortured us in a previous week. After going

“As he entered the box his eyes met Miss Welland’s, and he saw that she had instantly understood his motive, though the family dignity which both considered so high a virtue would not permit her to tell him so. The persons of their world lived in an atmosphere of faint implications and pale delicacies, and the fact that he and she understood each other without a word seemed to the young man to bring them nearer than any explanation would have done.” (Wharton 16) This statement vividly illustrates the power of the unsaid within New York society during the 1870’s, the time in which The Age of Innocence was set. At that time, there existed a powerful set of rules, regulations, and codes pertaining to

The Age of Innocence, written by Edith Wharton, is about the upper-class society of New York City in the 1870’s. The novel follows the life of an upper-class lawyer named Newland Archer. He is going to wed May Welland, who comes from another upper-class family. As the novel progresses Newland starts to become intrigued with May’s cousin, the poor Ellen Olenska. Ellen is called “poor” because she is shameful in the eyes of the society that surrounds her. Ellen left her husband and moved back to New York City to be with her family. Divorce is not acceptable in the 1870’s high society like it is today. Newland tries at first to protect Ellen from the bad reputation that she will perceive if she divorces

More and more men are holding power over women. When this happens women feel afraid to be themselves and being very insecure and feel they have no purpose. Sadly this is happening more and more in society. This is also shown in Literature books as well, so society has learned and followed what authors have wrote and not it is happening more and more. In the novels, A Doll's House and The Great Gatsby we see that women in the books have strong relationships, but men believe they hold higher power, which can lead womens self esteem to go down, causing them to feel like they have no purpose.