America's first great sexual revolution took place in the early decades of the twentieth century. This critical event signaled the decline of Victorian ideals. During these times women tried, fought, and thought that they were assuring themselves the freedom to express themselves as equals against men. While these times in history did bring about some necessary, positive change, these revolutions did not solve all of the American gender problems (Brumberg 172). Today there are even more gender issues to be faced. With the constant bombardment of misogynist attitudes in popular culture today, men often view women as unequal. Although America has developed more equality for women through the years, attitudes such as those portrayed by rapper Eminem in is song, kill you, the view of Jack Nicholson's character in, As Good as it Gets, and William Faulkner's novel Light in August, still exist and are a detriment to the furtherment of equality for women.
             Long have women in classic literature been portrayed as weak and submissive male playthings who lead futile and meaningless lives. Faulkner characterizes women as weak and simple who must please men's sexual desires. One of the first female characters met in the story, Miss Atkins, a dietitian at the orphanage in which Joe Christmas lives, adheres to the stereotype. Miss Atkins, against her wishes, submits to the desires of a male co-worker who wishes to have sex with her. The event takes place amidst cries of "No, Charley! Charley Please! Please Charley!" (Faulkner 121). Portrayed as a whore, Miss Atkins brings forth the developing theme of misogyny in the novel. This event also acts as the catalyst for Christmas' lifelong discomfort and anger towards women. Two other influential women-Lena Grove, a girl who has run away from home to look for the father of her child, and Millie, the mother of Joe Christmas, also exemplify Faulkner's view that women, be...