Examples Of Southern Women Identity

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The Southern Woman’s Quest for Identity
The subject of identity is a very complex one as it encompasses the totality of social experience, much of which is influenced by history. What constitutes as the identity of an individual is not always easy to determine, given the differences in ways individuals are socialized during the course of their lives: as members of different families, neighborhoods, villages, municipalities, professions, social interest groups or religions. Yet, each of these social groups contains a hierarchal structure, particularly those groups that fall into the southern region. Even today, to be born a Southern woman is to be made aware of class distinction, and with it, the rules and expectations. Particularly in the early South, these rules varied some, but all followed the same basic template, which was, fundamentally, that no matter what the circumstance, Southern women were identified through their heritage. Defining one’s heritage requires a range of historical investigation from surnames, and events associated with such, to societal rank and income. However, surnames and societal rank originate from a common source – males. Men provide the surnames. Men are traditionally the primary source of income, which determines one’s rank in society. Therefore, Southern women were ultimately forced to identify themselves by the males to which they were tied. With that being said, what will come of a Southern woman who has no male to provide her with the necessary means by which she may identify herself? More specifically, is identity truly attainable? According to the customs of the old South, the woman should be unable to function on her own in society. Yet, it is this writer’s belief that there is a chance for t...

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...ut men, family ties and financial stability would be difficult to obtain, which were necessary to secure an identity in the early south. Early Southern women were ultimately forced to identify themselves by the males to which they were tied. Three female characters from the works read thus far, struggled without men to identify them. For Désirée, her past and family heritage proved too much to overcome. Without the surname provided by her husband, Désirée was without an identity to call her own and gave way to societal code. Yet, due to their internal fight for self-satisfaction, Lena and Janie were able to overcome their lack of identity by establishing their own without the aid of a male. In conclusion, identity is attainable for some women. However, it takes a Southern woman dedicated to her own beliefs to overcome such obstacles and return stronger than before.

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