The Redefinition of a Woman's Role in Society Through Litera
Society has females and males alike typecasted into roles which have basic characteristics that are the reverse of each other. Although this has begun to change over the past thirty years, typically the man was seen as superior to the female. This superior image is one that today, is slowly on its way to being reduced to one of complete equality between the two genders. Before the feminist revolution began, the female was traditionally in charge of taking care of the children and household. Her image in life was that of the wife, mother, and nurturing person. Some of the traits that were thought to be uniquely feminine were; emotional, sensitive, gentle, quiet, nurturing, interested in personal appearance and beauty, focused upon home and family. Generally the image of the woman was quiet, submissive, and dedicated towards the well being of her family. The stereotypical role for women is to focus their lives on marriage, home and children. They rely on men for sustenance and status. The expectancy is that women will engage in nurturing and life preserving activities through childbearing and care taking behaviors. Additionally, there is also emphasis on personal appearance and prohibition on direct expre
Bono best characterizes Rose's commitment to her husband and son when he tells Troy that Rose wants a fence around her house "to keep people in. She received the name Courage, after driving her cart of bread straight through the middle of a military bombardment because she was broke and her bread was going moldy. They have lived as strangers to each other. This is hardly the action of someone who isn't supposed to be assertive or strive for power. Her desire was to complement Troy's contribution to their dreams. An example of this deep yearning for independence is shown when Nora tells her friend, Kristina Linde about earning her own money by doing copying. Unfortunately, she is not able to change his mind, but she does succeed in diverting his suspicions of her motives. Rose perfected her role in the gendered American dream and became the ideal wife. Rose is completely dedicated to her husband and her family. Mother Courage and Her Children inverts the stereotypical female ideal and gives the character Mother Courage glorified male characteristics. For Nora, her inferior, doll-like nature is a facade for a deeper passion for individuality that begins to surface during the play and eventually fully emerges in the ending. Within all three of these plays women are depicted as strong-willed characters with the ability to survive independence. Linde is an inspiration to Nora, because Kristina has experienced the independence that Nora longs for.
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