Eng2800: Mapping the Ancient World

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Hello Class,

My name is Ayannah Woods and my major is Organization Management and my minor is Journalism. My favorite book is Midnight and the Meaning of Love by Sister Souljah.

The introduction to Penelope’s character has been the most influential part of Books 1-2 to me. Our first image of Penelope on page 35 is her “descending the high staircase” in an elegant manner. It is evident that she is someone of importance and great fortune as she has “handmaidens” who are available at her expense. However, her role as a strong mother is quickly stripped as her son Telemachos, instructs her to return to her room as the “men must see to discussion”. Although Penelope has bore and raised him, it is because he is a man that he is able to instruct her to do things and that he is able to decide her fate as a woman. It is interesting that the men of this community have swarmed to her house to replace her “late husband” and the matter of her being married is so important. As seen on page 34 the issue of what is to become of his mother, as his father is absent, whether she is to marry or simply wait for the arrival of her missing husband is the main topic of concern. I think it is interesting to focus on the gender roles in this story and challenge if they would be valid in the society of today.

-Ayannah Woods