The Confederate Maiden By Nadezhda Durov An Analysis

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A reoccurring theme that transcendences through history is the objectification genders face when trying to fulfill both societal norms and roles. From an early age, we are taught what is socially acceptable for either gender—the do's and do not's. Primarily, men do not face such objectification in comparison to women. Due to the external pressures being implemented on such genders, it, in consequence, creates a form of resentment towards that said gender. In Nadezhda Durova’s autobiography, The Cavalry Maiden, we are presented with such an example. Durova within her autobiography narrates how being a noblewoman, during the reign of Alexander I, is a period in which this specific class of women can be seen as oppressed and limited in their freedom. By having Nadezhda’s mother hate her and implement such ideas into her mind, it results in Nadezhda to oppress the role women must comply with in order to maintain a “fulfilled” life.
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The culmination of this resentment lead to the mistreatment and solitude that Nadezhda faced while growing up. Being constantly punished and receiving subtle hints that Nadezhda behavior is un-lady like it led Nadezhda to not wanting to be defined by these normative constraints. Therefore, the difference between Nadezhda rejecting to follow a noblewoman duties and wanting to fulfill a masculine role is that during her childhood Nadezhda did not hide the fact that she was fond of a military life and wanting to live outside the constraints society has associated with noblewomanhood—living a content life rather than being judged. If Nadezhda had not been punished so constantly and being forced to follow her mothers teaching maybe Nadezhda would have not left her parents home. In addition, maybe finding a middle ground between her mothers discipline and Nadezhda wants could have led to a compromise in which both parties could live

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