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The Representation of Women in Literature The role of women in society is constantly questioned and for centuries women have struggled to find their place in a world that is predominantly male oriented. Literature provides a window into the lives, thoughts and actions of women during certain periods of time in a fictitious form, yet often truthful in many ways. Ernest Hemingway Hills like White Elephants, D. H. Lawrence's The Horse Dealers Daughter and William Faulkner's A Rose for Emily each paint a picture of a woman who has failed to break away from her male companion, all describing a stereotypically dominated woman. Through submissive natures, compliant attitudes, and shattered egos the three women each struggle to live their lives in accordance to men, using only silent means of escape.
In Hemingway's Hills Like White Elephants we are introduced to Jig. Jig is a woman who lacks the ability to make decisions without constant approval and recognition from a man who has impregnated her but who would rather she aborts the baby. Jig, unfortunately, cannot make decisions on her own, which is exemplified throughout the story, depicting her weak and dependent personality. What should we drink? From the opening line of the story we are introduced to a character that questions rather than acts. Someone who is unsure of not only herself but the relationship she is involved in.
Though a simple question about what beverage to order can often appear courteous, this is only the first of many examples pertaining to Jigs inability to live her life as an individual. Later she questions her purpose in life, Thats all we do isnt it-look at things and try new drinks? , asking her companion to confirm for her what the meaning of her life is. By doing this Hemingway succeeded's in creating a character who cannot be respected but is instead pitied. In a discussion, with her American lover, Jig comments about the hills surrounding them, comparing them to white elephants, only for him to tell her that what she is saying is wrong. Rather than defend something that is her own opinion she changes the subject and later apologizes for saying it in the first place.
They look like white elephants, she said. Ive never seen one, the man drank his beer. No, you wouldnt have. I might have, the man said.
Just because you say I wouldnt have doesnt prove anything... Theyre lovely hills, she said. They really dont look like white elephants. I just meant the coloring of their skin through the trees. Jigs main objective throughout the story is ensuring that her partner is happy. This is apparent when she tells him that she will go through with the abortion.
Then Ill do it. Because I dont care about me. And Ill do it and then everything will be fine. Through these comments it is evident that she truly believes if she has an abortion their relationship will be fine giving little thought to the emotional and physical trauma the procedure will cause. Jigs subservient attitude is indicative of her low self esteem throughout the story. She allows herself to be shaped by a man whose care for her is more than obviously not a reciprocation of hers for him.
Throughout the story he manipulates her into thinking that he only wants what is best for her and that he only wants her to do what she feels comfortable doing, meanwhile constantly undermining her resolve. [I]f you dont want to you dont have to. I wouldnt have you do it if you didnt want to. But I know its perfectly simple. I think its the best thing to do.
But I dont want you to if you dont really want to. Unfortunately Jig falls for every line, inevitably deciding her lifes happiness is unimportant. She instead places her happiness in the hands of his, meaning that her lifes enjoyment will only exist based on her ability to please her partner. And you think then well be all right and happy. But if I do it, then it will be nice again if I say things are like white elephants, and youll like it? She is pleading for him to tell her that everything will be fine and their life will be happy because she is so afraid of trying to find happiness on her own.
Her side of the discussion is constantly exasperated as she convinces herself to believe everything he says. Only at one point in the story does her character appear to think individually of his thoughts, only to immediately retract when summoned. It is at this point in the story that Hemingway symbolizes her chance for individually and then immediately showing her lack of. She steps into the light, into herself and thinks freely on her own, only to fall back into what he wants her to believe. The girl stood up and walked to the end of the station. Across, on the other side, were fields of grain and trees along the banks of the Ebro.
Far away, beyond the river, were mountains. The shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain and she saw the river though the trees. Come on back into the shade, he said. The imagery of both the light and the shade and the parting of the trees make it seem as though Jig is on the verge of an epiphany and then she retracts assuming his way of thinking, following him back into the shade. At the end of the story Jig is seemingly content, I feel fine, she said. Theres nothing wrong with me.
I feel fine. , though in reality she is a docile woman who cannot think or live for herself. D. H. Lawrence presents a similarly inferior character in his The Horse Dealers Daughter.
Living with her three verbally abusive brothers, Mabel's character reflects that of a submissive, helpless animal. She appears to be trapped, constantly being emotionally beaten but having no ability to defend herself or escape. Shes a woman who respects her duties and fulfills her responsibilities as seen fit by the male dominating force of the household. She had long before given up her right to be a member of the family and instead was like a mute servant who showed no emotion nor appeared to feel any either. He pushed his coarse brown moustache upwards, off his lip, and glanced irritably at his sister, who sat impassive and inscrutable. Mabel is constantly being ordered around by her brothers but passively receives the information making it apparent that her own happiness...
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Research essay sample on Horse Dealers Daughter Hills Like White Elephants
