Since we are on our gender studies unit, I have obviously noticed some problems between men and women. Women like Nora in A Doll House and Miriam in A Thousand Splendid Sun let their husbands treat them like dirt. Miriam knows what she wants, but allows this asshole (excuse my language) brute to rape her and beat her and boss her around. It literally makes me cringe inside. She lives a miserable life. I think that Laila asserted her independence and strength. When everything she loves was ripped away from her, all she had left was the child of the man she loved. So yes, she did agree to marry Rasheed, but she did it for the safety of her child. She let him basically rape her just to protect her baby (all these other moms in this unit would never do that). But she didn’t just sit around doing nothing, she planned to escape. She wanted more for herself; school, true love, freedom, and she is going to do what she has to do to get it. That is admirable. Not this sitting around like you’re worthless crap. On the other hand, Nora’s husband speaks to her like she is five years old and has no mind of her own. If any man spoke to me that way he would not like the words that would come out of my mouth. Although I must admit, she did take on some independence by trying to pay for the trip to save her husband herself, which I admire, and find herself in the end. Then again she just picked up and left her children. But that’s a whole other issue. I mean, what is up with these women in literature just up and leaving their kids. I understand that they never did anything for themselves, but I don’t even have kids and I already know that I will love them will all I have and would never ever leave them. I understand that with these specific time and cultures that this was simply the role of women, but I’ve always been one to try and beat the odds and think outside the box. Today, I think the issue is not as bad, but there is a whole new wave of sexist jokes. “Go make me a sandwich.” “Women belong in the kitchen.” First of all, men know it’s rude and not becoming, but they do it anyway. If a man commanded me to go make him a sandwich, once again, it would not be pretty. But I definitely think that women these days have taken on so much power and independence.
I love your passion and strength Meghan. It came through loud and clear in this blog. :-)What we see with many of the female characters in this unit is an acceptance of the role society has given them. And if we really think about it, resisting our role is not any easy thing to do... which makes characters like Laila (and Edna if you want to interpret her in that way) stand out as those with a fighting spirit... similar to yours. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood work.
P.S. We will be talking about the "joke" issue in class as we wrap up this unit.