Oppression Of Women In Geek Love By Dunn And Maus By Spiegelman

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There is a quote that goes "behind every successful man there is a woman”. This implies that the sexes are not credited equally, and gender shadows over success. Men and women are separated not only physically, but in other aspects. A male-dominated culture exists although women are capable of performing just as well as men. There are different situations where men overpower women. There is a stereotype that divides the sexes, ultimately harming both genders. Literary works brush upon the subject of men versus women, touching these components as storyline progresses. There is not a black and white division among the sexes; however, novels such as Geek Love by Dunn and Maus by Spiegelman expose the underlying power struggle among the genders, …show more content…

Research states “Patriarchy defines a system of relationships in which the men ‘own’ the women and children and rule over them” (Fortier p.278). Both novels have a system, in or outside of the family dynamic, that shows a gradient of power. Both authors include an individual or group that is considered superior to the next. Arty is the tyrant in Geek Love, persecuting his siblings if given the chance. He owes the circus to his knowledge, controlling those under his power. Oly readily supports him through everything and takes the blame even if it is not her fault. Oppression comes in small waves, producing a ripple-effect afterwards. Arty slowly develops a grip of power around Oly, gradually tightening it as time progresses. Oly becomes a puppet, responding to every command Arty gives her. She thought she found an identity with Arty, but instead he stripped it from her. Arty sees the people around him as mere pawns, only tools to further his own personal successes. The woman did not dare to speak against him because she had a fear that he would stop loving her, a sign of an abusive relationship. The process of objectification is complete when Oly is impregnated with Arty’s child as a gift and symbol of her love for him. The oppressor devalues one until he or she is left with nothing, but the ideas and words from the oppressor

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