Author Archives: katherine.trujillo

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Bartleby The Scrivener & The Underground Man

Posted on May 12, 2012 by katherine.trujillo

Alienation and rejection from society are apparent in both Melville’s, Bartleby the Scrivener and Dostoevsky’s, Notes from the Underground.
Bartleby can be compared to the Underground Man in the aspect that each shares a disconnection from their society and display actions that do not appear rational. Bartleby shows this in a more passive, less self hating way while Dostoevsky’s work is more controversial. In his Underground Man he establishes more of an empty man with such extreme nihilistic and modernist views that he comes across as repulsive and uncomprehensive.  Bartleby, on the other hand, regardless of his emptiness and silence, is more real and understandable than the outspoken Underground Man.

Posted in 5. Comparison of two of the texts we've read since the midterm | 1 Comment

Final Paper Topics

Posted on May 10, 2012 by katherine.trujillo

1. Lacking the ability to express emotion and connect with one’s surrounding world is possibly the greatest struggle an individual can go through.

2. Man values the ability to assert his own existence more than he values reason.

3. Before the 19th Century women were typically given the standard superficial role and were paid little attention, how do the authors of some of the texts we have read explore the true nature of the women?

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Paper topic: Gender Roles in the 17th Century, Rebellion or Submission and its Consequences

Posted on March 1, 2012 by katherine.trujillo

Every society has its own definition for the roles that men and women are to play, generally men are given the role of dominance and control, while women are given the role of the obedient wife. Katherine in “the taming of the Shrew” and Imoinda in “Onooroko” had very different ways of dealing with the expectations of their society, however both had consequences. Is it better to speak out on your beliefs or to submit to your predetermined role as a woman?

Posted in Midterm paper topics | 10 Comments

“Wearing Their Strength on Their Sleeves”

Posted on February 23, 2012 by katherine.trujillo

In The Taming of The Shrew, Katherine uses her sharp tongue as a defense mechanism when dealing with the misogynistic treatment of her as an opinionated woman. In her first meeting of Petruchio, he attempts to undermine Katherine’s temperament by comparing her to an angry untamed wasp. Katherine quickly responds with, “If I be waspish, best beware my sting” (II.1.225). It becomes evident very early in the story that Katherine is not the typical 16th century “lady” as defined by her society. Because of this she is given an extremely hard time by her family and suitors. Katherine despises the expectations that are placed on her by her society to be an obedient and courteous young woman. Subsequently she insults and berates the men who try to court her thus earning her the title of “The Shrew”.

Fast forwarding to present times, while the views and treatment of women have greatly evolved since the 16th Century there is still a sometimes subtle and sometimes not so subtle implication that outspoken and strong minded women are to be considered “shrewish” or in the words of Mrs. Christine Hamilton, “a battle axe”.

Christopher Petkanas recently published an article in The NY Times (pg E14) named “Wearing Their Strength On Their Sleeves”. In this article Christopher talks about Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in the film, “The Iron Lady”. He goes on to describe her wardrobe of power-skirt suits and handbags as a sort of armor worn by powerful influential women such as Joan Collins, Queen Victoria, socialite Lady Rothermere, and Mrs. Thatcher. This wardrobe is categorized in Christine Hamilton’s “The Bumper Book of British Battle Axes”. Mrs. Hamilton who has also been identified as a “battle-ax herself has not yielded to this stereotype but instead wears it as “a badge of honor”.   Much like “Kate”, she uses this mindset in addition to her wardrobe as a sort of defensive wall against her critics. Mrs. Thatcher’s look as described by Daily Mail columnist, Ms. Street Porter, is designed to say “I speak, you listen”.

Even in today’s society it seems like women who reach a certain position of power in any job sector are believed to be cold, ruthless, or bitchy. Why after so many years are strong mined and successful women still being criticized and associated with references such as “battle axe, and bitch” while men who carry these same characteristics are accepted as assertive and confident?

Posted in Shrew, Act 1 | 3 Comments

Oroonoko & The Taming of The Shrew

Posted on February 23, 2012 by katherine.trujillo
In William Shakespeare comedy, “The taming of the Shrew, Act 1, we are introduced to Katherine and Bianca, the two unwed daughters of Baptista Minola. Here we are immediately reminded of the limited and obligated roles that women had to play in the 16th century in order to be accepted by society. Bianca, the younger of the two, is favored by her father as well as her numerous suitors because of her silent and obedient manner as opposed to her sister, Kate, who is labeled the shrew because she is opinionated and refuses to submit and obey her father, or her suitors. Kate’s actions make it extremely difficult for Baptista to find her a husband. This indicates that an opinionated woman was not, for the most part desirable whereas Bianca’s portrayal of a submissive and tamed woman was considered attractive and essential to the men of this era.
Over half a century later, in Surinam, Aphra Behn’s, tells the story of “Oroonoko; or, The Royal Slave”. Imoinda, “the beautiful black venus” of the prince, much like Lucentio’s Bianca is described as modest, sweet in her behavior, and delicate. The little power that she does have over her suitors comes not only from her physical beauty but more importantly from her disposition.  Like Bianca she doesn’t have much of a choice. Women in these days as depicted in both readings had little to no say in their futures. They were treated more like property and were expected to adhere to the demands of a society dominated by males.
Would Oroonoko would have felt the same way about Imoinda had she been more like Kate in The Taming of the Shrew?
Posted in Shrew and Oroonoko | 1 Comment