SUMMARY
While Gloria Steinem’s work involving her book ‘Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions,’ was a highly entertaining and informative read about her time as a activist writer in the Second-Wave Feminist Era, it is also a particularly difficult thing to summarize. As a collection of essays regarding her experiences as a feminist writer, it becomes difficult to separate and give clear direction to the information and topics that were covered throughout the text. However, the work can generally be separated into three key topics. These topics are historical moments and how they influenced the Women’s Rights Movement, specific women to cross Steinem’s path and how they have shaped our history, and the female image of the modern day and where
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In her essay ‘Marilyn Monroe: The Woman Who Died Too Soon,’ the question is asked what it was that made Marilyn Monroe such an uncomfortable figurehead for women at the time, and why her overwhelming desire for approval only developed her tragedy in the end. Steinem admits that she “walked out on Marilyn Monroe,” and she wonders if the support and friendship of other women could have brought her to a better end. She also interviewed both Patricia Nixon (‘Patricia Nixon Flying’) and Jackie Kennedy (‘Jackie Reconsidered’) and analyzed their attachments in the media to their husbands. Patricia was refined, and took several questions to get to really talk. She remained in her husband’s, President Richard Nixon, shadow throughout his campaign, and Steinem found her difficult to interview. However, after she was asked about what made Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower so popular with the youth of the time, “the dam broke,” admitting that her popularity came from her strength during the war, provoking another story- the story of Patricia- to be told. She had worked more than she had considered what she wanted out of life. She worked to stay afloat and go to school. She said she had never had it easy. This is where Steinem finally makes the real connection between Richard and Pat Nixon: they both had great drive with an even greater suspicion that some people …show more content…
This has been disproven in more ways than one, namely that woman who find themselves in jobs by choice tend to be much happier with their lives. In ‘Men and Women Talking,’ studies have shown that men often speak significantly more than women, and that women who speak 50% of the time are seen as “talking too much.” Finally, in ‘Why Young Women Are Very Conservative,’ Steinem questions the fact that, while men tend to become more interested in activism in their college years, women tend to be more active as they age. She also begins to understand that at its core its an issue of assuming that what is normal for men should be normal for all human
This work was rejected by many of the more conservative elements in the movement and a storm of protest arose as many of her colleagues condemned her. When she dies in 1902, she was no longer the movement’s leader and was unfortunately, not around to see women’s suffrage in the United States. Her crusade lasted for over fifty years of her life, as she learned and profited from her mistakes and failures, realizing that everything isn’t perfect. Even though she has been dead for quite some time now, her concerns, ideas, and accomplishments have endured and continue to influence the feminist movement and other movements for progress in the twentieth century.
Throughout history, women have struggled with, and fought against oppression. They have been held back and weighed down by the sexist ideas of a male dominated society which has controlled cultural, economic and political ideas and structure. During the mid-1800’s to early 1900’s women became more vocal and rebuked sexism and the role that had been defined for them. Fighting with the powerful written word, women sought a voice, equality amongst men and an identity outside of their family. In many literary writings, especially by women, during the mid-1800’s to early 1900’s, we see symbols of oppression and the search for gender equality in society. Writing based on their own experiences, had it not been for the works of Susan Glaspell, Kate Chopin, and similar feminist authors of their time, we may not have seen a reform movement to improve gender roles in a culture in which women had been overshadowed by men.
There are many aspects for my mind to conceive while reading the articles why I write by George Orwell and Joan Didion. There are many different factors in triggering an author’s imagination to come up with what they want to write, and why they want to write it. In most writings a purpose is not found before the writer writes, but often found after they decide to start writing.
Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem begins with Equality 7-2521, or as he is later known Prometheus, stating, “It is a sin to write this. It is a sin to think words no others think and to put them down upon a paper no others are to see…and we know that there is no transgression blacker than to do or think alone” (17). Prometheus lives in what is known as a totalitarian society. In many totalitarian societies, the ability to express oneself is often forbidden and suppressed. This novella contains a society which represents extreme totalitarianism. The rulers of the society, have managed to convince the citizens that selflessness, as well as worship of the word “we”, is the only way to live.
Instead these life decisions are primarily influenced by an individual’s personal limits, beliefs, and morals. Though sexism and pay discrimination still exist there are so many regulations and penalties in place that such behavior has become very uncommon. Dorment creates a new scene where he asks women to not only take on the same sacrifices men past and present have all while realizing that men are doing the best that they can. I believe that this scenario created is key to realizing that women can only take on leadership roles or progress in their careers if they are willing to make sacrifices. They can’t expect special treatment or think that being successful doesn’t come with downsides when the thing they are fighting for is equality. According to the Pew Research Center 60 percent of two parent homes with children younger than eighteen consist of dual-earning couples. This study explicitly shows how men are no longer the sole provider, but instead that women are taking on careers while giving up the stay at home role. In addition, despite men typically spending a little less time at home than women it is become increasingly normal for the home work load to be more evenly divided in dual-earning households. As Richard Dorment mentions, this raises the question “Why does the achievement gap still exist?” Men and Women are increasingly splitting the home work load between each other yet men still appear to be achieving more in the workplace than women. Though the opportunities available to each are the same it is the personal motivation and limits that are resulting in the gap. Women value family time over work time greatly while men are much more willing to sacrifice personal time for work because they feel it is for the good of their family. The difference in personal importance is one factor that contributes to the gap and
One cannot be obedient to one’s power without being disobedient to another. In his article, “Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem,” Erich Fromm argues people obey authority to feel safe. When one obeys, they become an ambiguous part of a whole, no longer accountable for actions or left on their own. In Ian Parker’s article, “Obedience,” analyzing Milgram's experiment, he claims people obey orders when there is no second option. According to Parker, if someone obeys an order, but there is no alternative, their accountability is lessoned. The two articles can speak to the tomfoolery that takes place in the motion picture, Mean Girls, which highlights a typical high school under the regime of the queen bee, Regina George, with her followers Gretchen Weiners and Karen Smith; the regime is usurped by a new girl, Cady Heron. Under the scope of Parker and Fromm, it can be argued that Gretchen was not disobeying Regina when she realigned with Cady, but actually remaining obedient to the social order of high school.
Society has long since considered women the lessor gender and one of the most highly debated topics in society through the years has been that of women’s equality. The debates began over the meaning between a man and woman’s morality and a woman’s rights and obligations in society. After the 19th Amendment was sanctioned around 1920, the ball started rolling on women’s suffrage. Modern times have brought about the union of these causes, but due to the differences between the genetic makeup and socio demographics, the battle over women’s equality issue still continues to exist. While men have always held the covenant role of the dominant sex, it was only since the end of the 19th century that the movement for women’s equality and the entitlement of women have become more prevalent. “The general consensus at the time was that men were more capable of dealing with the competitive work world they now found themselves thrust into. Women, it was assumed, were unable to handle the pressures outside of the home. They couldn’t vote, were discourages from working, and were excluded from politics. Their duty to society was raising moral children, passing on the values that were unjustly thrust upon them as society began to modernize” (America’s Job Exchange, 2013). Although there have been many improvements in the changes of women’s equality towards the lives of women’s freedom and rights in society, some liberals believe that women have a journey to go before they receive total equality. After WWII, women continued to progress in there crusade towards receiving equality in many areas such as pay and education, discrimination in employment, reproductive rights and later was followed by not only white women but women from other nationalities ...
Today, women are not typically seen in higher levels of position in the work force than men. In Anne-Marie Slaughter’s article “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All”, she uses her own experience to convey why it is not possible for a woman to work in a higher position, due to women being more emotional than men. People still believe it’s a women’s place to stay at home to cook, clean and take care of the children, while the men go to work to pay the bills. And it’s considered odd if the man is a stay at home father and the woman is working 24/7 and is never home. Even though it is rewarding to be able to always be there to see your child’s milestones in their life. It is always nice to get away from that life for even a moment. I don’t mean going out with the girls or guys, while you hire a babysitter, but helping your husband or wife pay the bills, so you have two rather than one income coming in at the end of the month. In Richard Dorment’s article, “Why Men Still Can’t Have It All” he states that both men and women can’t have it all. I agree with both Slaughter and Dorment, but not entirely. I believe if you want to be a good
In her essay, The Time Factor, Gloria Steinem successfully provides an impeccable sample of persuasive writing. She does so by initially using the persuasive technique of including comparisons to support her argument. In one comparison, Steinem explains the differeces between each of the three societal classes: “The rich and the middle class can plan for future generations, but the poor can plan ahead only a few weeks or days” (Steinem 276). This is a valuable persuasive technique primarily because it uses logic and reason to influence the rational side of the reader’s mind to strengthen the argument. By doing so, the reader is more likely to believe the information presented and thus, give credibility to the point. Comparison also aids in
...requent use of these appeals and strategies evokes a true response of sympathy and urgency to get a start on the revolution to gain women’s rights and equality. Steinem’s goal of her commencement speech to the graduating class of Vassar is not to relay stereotypical “entering the world with high hopes and dreams” advice, but to advocate social and political changes in America’s young, new future. She promotes social reform and helps to redefine what the feminist movement stands for. If society does not learn to unlearn the “traditionalist” ways, it will not move foreword in its attempt to exonerate women, men, and minorities from their preconceived and stereotypical roles. This argument is not only about the growth of women’s rights and power, but about the idea of humanism and that we all need to be liberated in order to initiate advancement of changes in society.
Gloria Steinem travels widely as a feminist activist, organizer, writer and lecturer. Her books include the bestsellers Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem, Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions, Moving Beyond Words, and Marilyn: Norma Jean, on the life of Marilyn Monroe. She was an editor of The Reader's Companion to U.S. Women's History. Steinem co-founded New York Magazine and Ms. Magazine where she continues to serve as a consulting editor. She has been published in many magazines and newspapers here and in other countries, and is also a frequent guest commentator on radio and
During the wake of gender politics in the early twentieth century, Gertrude Stein and Sui Sin Far wrote immigration narratives that feature characters who reject traditional gender norms. As female writers, the intersection of gender, sexuality, and cultural identities inform how each character uses, rejects, reacts to traditional notions of femininity and masculinity. While Mrs. Spring Fragrance by Sui Sin Far and The Good Anna by Gertrude Stein feature characters that challenge traditional gender roles and assert their agency, The Good Anna features characters that challenge gender roles directly by not fitting into gendered expectations. Mrs. Spring Fragrance, on the other hand, features characters that seem to follow gender roles as prescribed
Gloria Jean Watkins also known as Bell Hooks, she is an American author, feminist, and social activist. In this book, Hooks give readers a better understanding of feminism and its purpose through updated information and an easier to understand writing style. Hooks argues that the misrepresentation of women in the media negatively affects both men and women. For Hooks, awareness is a vital element in feminism; if women are aware of their op...
Hooks begins by stating that Feminism in the United States did not emerge as a result of victimized, underprivileged women who faced sexist oppression so much so they have internalized it , but in fact by bourgeois upper-class white women whose idea's of equality were far different. She begins this criticism with Betty Friedan, a leading figure in the women's movement and the author of the classic The Feminine Mystique claiming that the book ignored the difficulty and even the existence of non-white, poor women with the assumption that her concerns were harmonious wi...
This essay is an attempt to survey the temporal and spacial evolution of the literary movement of feminism in the United States. The feminist movement has always has the main concern of establishing and defending equal human rights. It has passed through three main time periods that are called “waves”, each with differ order priorities. I will try to view the main claims and issues each wave has dealt with as well as study some of the most renowned female writers/activists whose works have been central in reshaping the American attitudes...