Literature is the perfect mirror of the world society as the creative artists take resort to their works of art to portray the society and culture. A close scrutiny of the literary works of various authors ranging across time in the history of literature would be helpful in bringing an introspective perspective about the state of women in the society. For the purpose of the scrutiny, one can take into reckoning the short story The Story of an Hour penned by Kate Chopin, the short story, The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck, the seminal article by feminist film critic, Laura Mulvey, titled, “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema” and the story of the novel, Paradise, written by Toni Morrison. Thus, these works that vary in time and across societies would be able to provide a holistic understanding of the gradual change in the state of women over the period in history.
Kate Chopin’s seminal work of literature, The Story of an Hour, reflects the fact that marriage as an institution is oppressive in nature. It needs to be noted that this story was published in the year, 1894, and can thus be taken to be a literary document that echoes the state of women in the late 19th century society. The story by the eminent American author delves deep into the emotions and feelings of the female protagonist when he comes to know of the untimely demise of her husband in an accident. As much as she is sad about the demise, is feels liberated in a manner for not having to bow down in front of the oppressions and subjugation of the marital bond anymore in her life. Chopin goes on to portray how the female protagonist, Mrs. Mallard, envisages a life of emancipation looking through the open window at the azure sky outside. The author explores the thematic content of freedom of women from the societal institution of marriage that imposes patriarchal parameters of propriety for the rest of their lives with their spouse. It becomes quite clear to the avid readers that the female character in context has not been overtly oppressed by her husband in any way, and this testifies to the innate nature of marriages of being oppressive and subjugating for the women folk of the society. (Chopin 1-5) Chopin engages in portraying the narrative of an hour to show the deepest aspirations and emotions of Louise Mallard who yearns for the upcoming free life after the death of her husband and her freedom from the pressures of marital bond. Indeed, Mrs. Mallard works as the prototypical figure of the women folks of the society who faced subjugation and had to live a life of passivity repressing their individual aspirations and dreams in life. Thus, this story shows how women were subordinated by the patriarchal society during the late 19th century. The demise of Mrs. Mallard at the end of the story getting to know that her husband is alive represents her heartbreak as a woman who was broken from within having found her dream of emancipation getting shattered by her husband’s return.
Some years later, the famous author, John Steinbeck, went on to pen the short story, The Chrysanthemums that shows the perspective of the society about women folks. The readers come to find how the female protagonist of this story, Elisa, is subjected to objectification and subordination in the male dominated society. The author portrays the plight of the women of the society through her character’s struggle and the conspicuous use of the symbol of the chrysanthemums. The narrative shows how Elisa sees herself getting reflected in the flower, and livens up when someone notices the flower in her house. The readers come across in the course of the story’s narrative how both Elisa and the flower get rejected by a male. (Steinbeck 1-8) The fog that shrouds the valley in the season of winter represents symbolically the onus of patriarchal influence on the lives of women of the society at that time in history. This story was published in 1938, and this reflects the state of women during that time making it understandable that nothing much had changed in the perspective of the society and the struggle of the women folks from the late 19th century as reflected in the work by Kate Chopin.
If one moves ahead in the timeline of human history, it was in the year 1973 that the famous film critic, Laura Mulvey, wrote the seminal essay, “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema.” By this time, films had come to become one of the most popular forms of aesthetic and creative expression in the society. Even many literary works were adapted in the cinematic medium of art as the films reached out to cater the masses all over the world. In the wake of omniscience and immense popularity of cinema as a form of art, Mulvey penned this essay pointing to the innate nature of filmic narratives to portray the women as a commodity and object of desire. The article goes on to opine how the male perspective is imposed upon the audience of the films (both male and female), as the women on the screen are made objects of voyeurism for engaging the masses. This was described to be a vehement reflection of the patriarchal ideology of the world society that was echoed in this form of art. Mulvey argued that such a form of female representation went on to strip the women of their due respect, their right to equality and diminished them to dehumanized objects or commodities in the cinematic art. (Mulvey 1-5) Thus, one can understand that even toward the last quarter of the 20th century the perspective the society toward women had not changed. However, there was rise of the feminist movements, the writing of Mulvey being an example. The feminist forces were committed to identity and criticize the ill-practices of the society through their works. The article is also reflective of the struggle of women of the society for achieving their due status and position of respect.
Again, one can consider the 1997 novel, Paradise, written by Toni Morrison that goes on to focus on the female characters to portray the difference between the genders that were brought about by the rigidity of the patriarchal society. The novel portrays the attitude of the townsmen and also their clandestine connections with the females at the Convent. The narrative of this story can be deemed to be the alternative voice to the occurrences that reflect the oppressive and subjugating nature of patriarchy toward the females of the society. (Morrison 2-56) The author names the chapters of this novel after the specific women characters, and thus one gets to know the respective tales of the lives of Ruby, Mavis, and Grace. The sheer struggle and hardships in the lives of the characters echo the ill-effects of patriarchy and the onus imposed on the women folks by the society. Thus, it can be said that even in the late years of the 20th century, the society was run by the patriarchal parameters, although feminist voices had come up with utmost vehemence to attack the male dominance and fight for equality of women. The literary works and other forms of art reflect this shift in the society.
It would correct to end by saying that the society has been patriarchal in nature for ages now, and the women folks have been oppressed and subordinated in all the ways possible. The cultural markers, the societal norms and practices, and the economic dependence have been major factors in subjugation of women in the world society. While in the previous century women did not have the valor or grit to speak up against the hardships and discrimination as such, now they have a strong voice with which they oppose the ills of patriarchy in unison. Thus, the society and the place of women in it have definitely changed for the better over the last century with hope for more advancement and position for women in the near future. The awareness about gender discrimination and the voices in support of gender equality can be seen as positive things that would usher in an era of equality and respect for women all over the globe.
Works Cited
Chopin, Kate. The Story of an Hour. United States: Vogue, 1894. Print.
Steinbeck, John. The Chrysanthemums. London: Modern Classics, 1938. Print.
Morrison, Toni. Paradise. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1997. Print.
Mulvey, Laura. “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema.” Amherst College. Amherst.edu,
1973. Web. 27 April 2016.
