Gender Inequality By Susan Glaspell Gender Roles

For many centuries, women in all parts of the world had struggled to have the same rights as men. People from different cultures believed that women should obey men because women tend to be characterized as the “weak and emotional” sex. Even in modern times, some countries, especially ones of the Middle East of Islamic and Hindu religion, women are considered property of their father or of their husband. Those women are often sold, brutally beaten and even murdered without any equitable reasons. Females are considered second-class citizens, which lead to conflicts between the two genders. According to Robert Max Jackson, in his article, “Why is it So Hard to Explain Gender Inequality,” gender conflicts usually occur because men have more freedom,

A County Attorney, Mr. Henderson, enters with the Sheriff, Mr. Peters, and Mr. Hale. Following behind them are the protagonists, Mrs. Peters and Mrs. Hale who “Come [came] in slowly, and stand [stood] close together near the door” (Glaspell, Opening Scene). Already, gender conflicts are being depicted when the women kept their distance from the men, the antagonists of the play. The play takes place in the 1800s, and the physical setting of the play is utilized to portray the rebellion of women on men. For example, after underestimating women’s cleanness, the County Attorney is scorned by Mrs. Hale who said, “...towels get dirty awful quick. Men’s hands aren’t always as clean as they might be” (Lines 109-110). Usually, women are quiet and respect the men’s opinions, but in this case, Mrs. Hale is fighting back. Falling into the rising action, Mr. Henderson command the women to “keep an eye out [in the kitchen] for anything that be of use to us” while they examine the bedroom upstairs (Line 133).. Therefore, the setting of the play, the kitchen, is use to shape the conflict rising among the two genders, while at the same time, the men’s arrogance lead to the actual