Role of Women in Hemmingway's Hills like White Elephants, Lawrence's The Horse Dealers Daughter and

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Role of Women in Hemmingway's Hills like White Elephants, Lawrence's The Horse Dealers Daughter and Faulkner's A Rose for Emily

The role of women in society is constantly questioned and for centuries women have struggled to find their place in a world that is predominantly male oriented. Literature provides a window into the lives, thoughts and actions of women during certain periods of time in a fictitious form, yet often truthful in many ways. Ernest Hemmingway's "Hills like White Elephants", D.H. Lawrence's "The Horse Dealers Daughter" and William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" each paint a picture of a woman who has failed to break away from her male companion, all describing a stereotypically dominated woman. Through submissive natures, compliant attitudes, and shattered egos the three women each struggle to live their lives in accordance to men, using only silent means of escape.

In Hemingway's "Hills Like White Elephants" we are introduced to Jig. Jig is a woman who lacks the ability to make decisions without constant approval and recognition from a man who has impregnated her but who would rather she aborts the baby. Jig, unfortunately, cannot make decisions on her own, which is exemplified throughout the story, depicting her weak and dependent personality. "What should we drink?" From the opening line of the story we are introduced to a character that questions rather than acts. Someone who is unsure of not only herself but the relationship she is involved in. Though a simple question about what beverage to order can often appear courteous, this is only the first of many examples pertaining to Jig's inability to live her life as an individual. Later she questions her purpose in life, "That's all we do isn't it-look...

... middle of paper ...

... Emily's lack of ability to let any male dominant leave her life. She murdered this man so that she could have him with her at all times until she too could die. Emily never left her house, hiding from the world. Only in the company of a man would she venture out into the streets. Emily suffered from a lack of ability to let go and an uncontrollable desire to hold on to those men who would control her life.

In all three stories women are represented in a tragic, pitiful light. In a society, those today supports women's abilities to be independent and live their lives as they chose once lived subordinate, dependent women. Stories such as these have helped to shape the present day's understanding of women's place in society.

Works Cited

· Geddes, Gary, ed. The Art of Short Fiction. (pp.399-409) and (pp. 322-325)

· Faulkner, William. A Rose for Emily

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