Raphael capitalizes on the social stratification that characterizes many societies today. Inequality within society has been perceived by many as being inevitable. Each society has both the rich and the poor. In Raphael’s perspective the rich continue being rich as the poor constantly grapple with lack. This paradigm is existent in many societies because it is difficult of move from one social class to the other. The lack of equal opportunities within society creates a situation whereby only the rich are able to progress being they have access to resources. However, Raphael introduces the idea that self-sacrifice and desiccation is fundamental if one is going to rise from a lower social status to the next. Raphael’s choice of a female character, Bernice to illustrate this is excellent. This is because many women around the world have been treated unequally in comparison with their male counterparts. Women have been confined to the domestic sphere such that their major duties revolve around the home. Women in many societies across the world are not given the opportunity of exploring the public sphere which can be a source of empowerment and independence.
Raphael excellently explains the hardships and problems that surround women as they try to flee themselves from the cultural framework that confines them to the domestic sphere. Bernice for instance had to begin by taking a difficult task of leaving Billy (Raphael, 2000, p.56). This indicates the self-sacrifice that she had to make in order to create a better world for herself. Raphael adopts a sadistic tone as he explains the cruel acts that Bernice experiences in the hands of Billy. It is evident that Raphael perceives the confinement of women in the domestic sphere as a form of enslavement. Billy’s action for example, brings out the idea that he treated Bernice not as a companion but like one’s property. There are numerous incidences that Bernice is raped. This cruel treatment of Bernice reflects the plight of the poor and the weak in society. Raphael uses this example to illustrate that the fact that the unequal balance of power results in a scenario whereby some people continue to suffer as other people continue to prosper from the injustices that they direct towards the weak and the poor in society.
Despite, explaining the plight of the poor and the weak within society, Raphael is quick to show that the empowerment of a given individual has to come from within. One has to have an internal drive which encourages one to continue fighting hard despite the hardships that they face. Success in today’s society is achieved through resilience to hardships. The ability to bounce back from the difficulties faced in life allows one to continue exploring new avenues of opportunity. The case of Bernice brings out a lady who is determined to achieve. Despite the incidences of rape and battering, Bernice does not stop looking for better ways. In fact, Raphael structures his prose in such a way that it appears that the difficulties that Bernice experiences make her strong each day. One of the key ideas that Raphael seeks to bring out in this book is the fact that individual motivation is essential for success. His character choice and structure of the plot allows him to achieve this objective.
References
Raphael, J. (2000). Saving Bernice: battered women, welfare, and poverty. Boston: Northeastern University Press.
