The Submissive Role that Women Play
The submissive role that many women assume in marriage is a familiar controversy among most societies; a role so common that it is often expected of a female to live "under the thumb" of her husband. Why, with all of the advances in equal rights and the recent progression of female participation in the male-dominated work force, does this role of passivity remain so current among society? These roles are ingrained into each of us at an early age. Men are raised to lead and take charge; while women are taught that their place is to keep the peace. The submissive role is so familiar, many women fear changing the situation. Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, author of "The Hand," understood the expectations of being female in a man's world because she had assumed the role of the oppressed wife several times. She could write about the reasons women comply, because she understood and had also been a victim.From the beginning of her piece, Colette sets the tone by telling the story of one young bride. She shows her audience the typical u
The male can often be abusive or controlling in this type of marriage. neven distribution of power within the relationship of a married man and woman. The woman accepts that she must sacrifice sleeping with the light off, or sleeping at all, because she must not wake her husband from his comfortable rest. "It [the hand] regrouped its forces, opened wide, and splayed its tendons, lumps, and red fur like battle dress, then slowly drawing itself in again, grabbed a fistful of the sheet, dug into it with its curved fingers, and squeezed, squeezed with the methodical pleasure of a strangler" (164). Her arm supports the man's head; and although he may not consciously force this authority upon her, somehow it has been imprinted into the woman's mind. The woman accepts the authoritative role her husband assumes because the submissive role is so familiar to her, and so much less frightening than change. Many women often trick themselves into believing that their over-bearing husband may just be doing what's best; that the times are not all bad because when things go well, he can be so kind and caring. The woman in "The Hand" lies awake in bed, frozen still, in fear of waking her sleeping husband. For the young wife, there is security in the non-dominant role because their decisions are made for them. She realizes the amount of physical supremacy he has over her, as well as his potential to do harm.
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