NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
"Herland: An Attack on Women's Oppression" As a prolific writer in the early 1900 's often focusing on the "Gender role question, " Charlotte Perkins Gilman influenced thousands of women through her witty and often provocative novels and various other works. Throughout her lifetime she became well known for her discussion on women's topics. With her book Herland (among others), she emerged as a spokesperson of such topics as women's portrayal who portrays what? Gilman, the women or others? and perspectives.
She believed strongly that women should be encouraged, from a very early age, to be independent and to work for themselves (Mightymedia. com) webpages get cited in your sentence (according to... ), rather than in parentheses p. 700 SFH if you know the author of the document, their name should be in your sentence. This was deemed as a revolutionary thought for her time. Gilman wrote with a political and social purpose, not necessarily an artistic one. In fact, her work may lack some of the fine-tuning we might see in other literature (car.
uterus. edu). Throughout her works she sends the message to women (and men) that females are independent, able beings and should now be viewed as so. She believed that men and women should share the responsibilities of cooking, cleaning and child rearing (Mightymedia).
In a time in which, or when. time is not a where women were not yet granted the right to vote for the leaders of their own country 31 a 1 this was perceived a very radical notion. In Herland, the author creates a utopian society made up entirely of women. Through her work, Gillman claims that women's immense potential is being suppressed by their dependency on men. The three male characters visit an island inhabited by a community of women under the rule of Motherhood. In this land motherhood is social, not just biological.
Readers observe Terry, Van and Jeff, and their contrasting reactions to a land complete with only seems awk women. The main characters can not comprehend how women can survive without the male species because they have never known a woman in their native land who was not in need of a man for survival. The narrator of the story, Van, can be quoted as saying "Why, this is a civilized country! There must be men, " (Herland 10 See p. 688 # 1 for format of parenthetical note), only one comma needed here after the qt. as the men are approaching the country from the air.
This quote not only symbolizes the thoughts of the three characters but the male-dominated American society as well. Throughout the novel, the women are observed as being the calm, rational, superior race I dont think race is the right word. Punishments for crimes are inconsequential. Friendship is inevitable.
Education is a priority. Love, intelligence, and efficiency are the characteristics of this land. The men on the other hand 31 b 3 are characterized as the close-minded, self-centered underdogs. As products of their environment they look down on all women as objects of possession.
This book is a wake up call to the American society that no longer shall the women be distinguished as being subordinate. This is exactly the message Gillman wished to rely wrong word to her audience. Gilman attacks the stereotypical male-dominated world in Herland. Gilman creates a one-sex society which includes it's 25 g very own political system and culture, in which everything is stable, benevolent, and all individual action is complimentary and beneficiary to the entire community. Competition is eliminated, since the population of Herland is working to fulfill the same goal. Each member is an asset to the community in their 19 b own significant way.
Classes are eliminated because all people are equal. They are in a way, 31 b 3 all happy servants to the community. The inhabitants of Herland have created a society that has precisely planned did the society plan, or did the women plan the society? every aspect of its being, from population and food control to education as a form of genetic improvement. The three male "outsiders" who visit the feminine society provide the women with an opportunity to observe the male species and learn their culture. The women have found interest in males and wish to bring them back as equals to their land.
They wish to teach them about their society as they learn of America. They teach the men their own language and show them their own ways of life. Though the men may seem skeptical at first, they soon find interest in the culture and open their minds to the feminine teachings. The women conclude that the males word missing strong enough to accept women as independent and powerful individuals should be allowed to mate with a woman of Herland. The men in Herland allow Gilman to show that men can, for the most part, come to terms with the concept of self-sufficient woman. However, in order to achieve this goal of gender equality, the women of the world must exercise the some patience and understanding that was shown to the males in Herland.
The main obstacle many would find in this all-woman society is that of conception and reproduction. Readers are faced with questions of the realism of this hardly plausible notion. The women are able to reproduce as a result of their deep "mothering instinct. " The ability to give birth means the significance of the absence of the male species is greatly reduced. Without need of male mates for biological purposes, Gilman is claiming there is no need for men. Really?
is she claiming that theres no need for men in real society, not just in the fictional Herland? Though this may be perceived as an extremely fictional story line, it can also be looked upon as a sign to the nation that women shall no longer be suppressed. show how it can actually be this sign One year after giving birth, mothers return to work and transfer the care of their baby to professional baby-sitters, to whom mothering is a natural and pleasing occupation. The education of children is subtle, and focuses mainly on the child's interests. The education of children is subtle, and focuses mainly on the child's interests. xx repeats sentence Specialization in areas of interest is encouraged yet education ofx the basics is never ignored.
As a result of this strict rearing of the children of the country, a new generation is brought up with even greater merit this phrase describes how they are brought up. its a misplaced adverb / adjective phrase. see 27 e, 27 g than those who preceded them. Thus, an evolution of excellence is set into place.
Throughout her tale, Gilman expresses the importance of education. The feminine society of Herland is based on academic achievement and progress. Gilman believed that, in our American society 31 b 1 this should be an essential modifier, the only kind of education available to women was taught through a male perspective (car. uterus. edu).
The women in the society only trust their children's education to female teachers who were skilled in a particular area. This priority of education shows womanly independence because up to this time in history women were rarely found attending schools or universities. They were raised to believe their job was to serve their man. Many women were unaware of the astounding possibilities outside of the home. Gilman wanted the world to know (women included) that females are just as intelligent as males, they just need to be given the chance.
When the novel Herland was released in 1915, American society simply accepted gender inequality as a way of life. Charlotte Perkins Gilman passionately believed that women must be allowed to participate in the evolution of society and ultimately of the world. In Herland, Gilman constructs a world in which women are the catalysts for change and progress, a world in which women are encouraged and enabled to live up to their full potential. Gilman yearned for the liberation of women, and searched for a way to make a reality of her dream world (car. uterus. edu).
She should be applauded for having the courage and strength to refuse the inferior label attached to her gender. She fought for what she believed in through books like Herland, with hope that someday all people will be viewed as equal. Sadly 31 b 3 however, this is a fact the world is still attempting to accept in the new millennium. Bibliography: Works Cited "Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860 - 1935) ." 23 Feb. 2000 web Clapham, Christopher. "Charlotte Perkins Gilman -- Herland and Her socio-Political Beliefs. " 23 Feb. 2000 Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. Herland. Mineola: Dover Publications, Inc. , 1998 Nichols, Jolee. "Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Her Work on Feminism. " 23 Feb. 2000
Free research essays on topics related to: 23 feb, charlotte perkins gilman, american society, male dominated, feb 2000
Research essay sample on Charlotte Perkins Gilman Male Dominated
