A main topic discussed in our classroom this semester was Feminism. A constant theme in many of these pieces of literature was the perception and roles that women in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries faced. These women were expected to focus on practical domestic pursuits and activities that encouraged the improvements of their families, and more particularly, their husbands. The evidence from the following works suggest that the overall societal views on females is the the conceptual idea of objectification of women, money and love:

LIfe of a Sensuous Woman – The elder woman

Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger – Du Tenth

Hedda Gabler – Hedda

     In each one of these literary pieces (although shown in different ways) these women are objectified and belittled because of there societal position. The elder woman and Du Tenth were both courtesans at some point in their respective stories, while Hedda was looked at as a housewife, even though she needed more. All three of these women all ended up alienated, which I will discuss in my next blog post. The elder woman was forced to live alone in a secrete place, while the other two killed themselves. These outcomes were societies faults, but more so it was the way woman were treated that drove them to this alienation.

I would like to add to this by giving my own thoughts here. What I found interesting was that in conclusion, although these stories showed the objectivity and secondary role to men that women played in those centuries, it also went a little further than that. These women were all depicted as smart, intelligent and more capable in societies eyes than your average woman in the stories. But, with all the being said, they lacked independence. Usually, money is what leads to someones independence. But here, although these women have some money, they lacked independence. This is due to the authors portrayal of these women’s overpowering love for men.  They each had money and each though about the future. Usually, when one plans for the future, it shows independence. The problem was, these women’s futures depended on men.