In this story, it is important to investigate the particular contrasts that cause issues in the relationship of the couple. The subtle elements of the story will prompt a conclusion that for Michael the relationship could simply be an unimportant accommodation or a warmth singularly produced by his physical needing of Frances, so with the way she looks and likes the young ladies of New York. The theme of feminism is highly depicted throughout the story. Michael, who represents the men in the story, is portrayed as someone who is indecisive and still struggling with his boyish frenzy. His habit of looking at every woman and trying to gauge their beauty shows how he cannot control himself. In addition, Michael admits that he has been struggling with the issue in his mind for quite a long time; ten years. Logically, any married man is expected to be satisfied with his marital partner and concentrate on her without being disrupted (The Modern Dash).
Frances calling the Stevensons demonstrates to her disposition which is lack of involvement and absence of optimism to face the association with his spouse. She is going to call the Stevensons in light of the fact that, she and her spouse have nothing More to examine about. In this regard, the cause of all the troubles emanate from Michael, who cannot control himself in the presence of women. In fact, it is said that he turned to look at every woman regardless of whether or not they are attractive. This portrays men as people who do not have values to stand for and anything that comes their way tends to sway them.
Michael's method for looking on ladies as simple forms could recommend a sort of degradation which is to characterize a lady just as a sensual or sexual figure.
There is an incongruity in the relationship of the couple which is the bloodless frightfulness from reality communicated that some way or another the things are not, and never have been, what they used to imagine about themselves.
It is clear in the points of interest with Frances that she had an introductory feeling of irrelevance and she needed to be cherished and recognized by her spouse. The sentence, "I'd do any damn thing for you" indicates a certain longing to be distinguished as a great wife in view of some level of affectability that a man is required in the family as the head and without him everything is nothing.
The "yearning to satisfy her spouse" could likewise be ascribed to liberation — such that Frances tries to maintain herself in addition to other ladies and not simply permitting Michael to disintegrate her in the regular wave of ladies. Her shouting could additionally indicate liberation by indicating that she controls her yearnings.
The subject of the two stories spins around the feminist issue of marriage. A regular thought between the two short stories is that love is a disappointment and an unimportant comic when there is the disappointment to distinguish the beloved as an individual and not a negligible or a mere entity.
In Irwin Shaw’s “The Girls in Their Summer Dresses”, Michael’s character may be addressed by the spectator. He may appear to depict himself as an unfaithful spouse who basically got in the demonstration at an early stage in the story. On the other hand, Michael had yet to do anything to physically double-cross his wife, and there is no confirmation that he might later on.
In the public arena, numerous mates or life partners have fantasized about having sexual relations with an alternate man or lady. These individuals have most likely addressed their unwaveringness to their ‘better half’ assuming that they have succumbed to such allurement. Then again, so long as these musings don't get to be movements, they cannot be judged as ethically not right. Indeed, therapists who assist battling couples really have their customers envision that their companion is another person throughout sex or recreation to reinforce their relationship. It is superbly good to have such dreams about others, so hopefully long as that individual does not follow up on them (Erin Yorke).
Michael is just about on the double disregarded by the commonplace crowd since regular conviction states that if a man is a stable married couple, he ought not have any dreams of or stare at any possible lady other than his wife. Michael is coolly investigating the moving workmanship on Fifth Avenue when Frances brings up.
In today's male prevailing social order, ladies are regularly typified through the eyes of their partner. In the short story "The Girls In Their Summer Dresses" by the late Irwin Shaw, we can see a few examples where and how ladies are externalized. I will indicate four externalizations found in the story, in particular, ladies as articles worth taking a chance with one's life, ladies as bit of craftsmanship and nourishment on an outdoor table, ladies as sexual items (Irwin Shaw Study Guide).
As indicated in Mr. Shaw's short story, ladies are externalized as an item one is ready to hazard his or her prosperity to delight in. "You’ll break your neck." This quote appears to make an article out of the woman they are talking about in their discussion. The spouse is looking around and has his eyes settled on a woman who was passing by as they are intersection the road. This shows that Frances is desirous at her spouse for taking a gander at other female, and in the meantime it likewise indicates that her spouse, Michael, is principally centered his consideration at the women around him. His glaring carelessness of his own life with regards to woman viewing further exhibits that he will do whatever it takes to look or revel in the sight of other ladies. Hence as stated by the short story, the creator passes on that ladies are continuously typified as something a man can risk his life simply to get a gander at her. "She's not so pretty,” Frances said. "In any case, not really enough to take a risk of breaking your neck" (Irwin Shaw). This quote appears that Frances is attempting to legitimize for her spouse why he ought not squander his time or endanger his life for that lady. There is an indication of envy in her tone. However, it appears this is normal of how men are ready to do anything simply to get a sight of what he supposes is excellent (The Modern Dash).
Therefore, based on the discussion above, it is evident from the story that the theme of feminism is highly emphasized through the character of both Michael and Frances. For instance, Frances, who represents women, is portrayed to be organized and visionary from the way she comes up with a plan on how they should spend their day. She is also portrayed as being decisive and satisfied with her husband. She tells Michael how she loves him and ready to do anything for his sake. She does not also struggle with the things Michael is struggling with. Michael, on the other hand is portrayed as trouble maker. All their conflicts in the story revolve around Michael’s behavior. In fact, their day comes to an end sadly because of Michael (Irwin Shaw Study Guide).
The theme of feminism is also clearly brought out in the portrayal of women in the story as beautiful and attractive. Michael seems to be a very successful man in many other things but has utterly failed to control himself and his emotions towards women. As he walks down the street with Frances, he is completely unable to stop looking at the girls they meet on their way, even in the presence of his own wife. Michael describes these girls as attractive and beautiful. In one instance, he is attracted at the complexion and the legs of one of the girls they meet along the street. He also fantasizes about having all the beautiful ladies together on a parade. What can be grasped out of all this scenarios is that women are attractive and precious beings that keep men disturbed. On the other hand, men are portrayed as people whose minds are so focused on women that they cannot concentrate in their presence. What seems to be so easy to women is an uphill task next to an impossible when it comes to the men (The Modern Dash).
In addition, Michael admits that there is a possibility of him walking out on Frances. He also confesses that he not only looks at the women and girls but also wants them. in this context, men are portrayed as the ones who engage in extra-marital affairs and are never faithful to their wives. At this juncture their marriage almost crumbles just because Michael is not cannot stop lusting at other women. Frances, on the other hand is satisfied with their marriage and does all she can to save her marriage and perhaps make Michael be satisfied with her. In my opinion, Men, in the image of Michael have been portrayed as a disgrace to their families
Works cited
Erin, Yorke. Short Story Reviews the Girls in their Summer Dresses by Irwin Shaw. American Literature. November 20111. Retrieved on 27 March 2014 from: http://www.humanities360.com/index.php/short-story-reviews-the-girls-in-their-summer-dresses-by-irwin-shaw-10006/
Irwin Shaw Study Guide: The Girls in Their Summer Dresses Summary. Retrieved on 27 March 2014 from: < http://www.enotes.com/topics/girls-their-summer-dresses>
Shaw, Irwin. “The Girls in Their Summer Dresses.” Short Stories from the New Yorker. New York: Simon and Shuster; 1967. 3-8.
The Modern Dash. Streetscape: Irwin Shaw’s “The Girls in Their Summer Dresses” 14 September, 2014. Retrieved on 27 March 2014 from: http://themoderndash.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/streetscape-irwin-shaws-the-girls-in-their-summer-dresses/
