The Objectification Of Women In Willa Cather's A Lost Lady

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Recommended: Victorian era literature

Throughout A Lost Lady by Willa Cather, there are themes and notions that portray women as objects or that they are used to exemplify the man. In the novel, the main character is Niel Herbert, who develops a unique relationship with Captain Forrester and his wife Marian Forrester. Captain Forrester was a successful railroad man and retired in his lavish house with his beautiful wife. Right away in the novel, Mrs. Forrester is described by having a charm with men and for her physical beauty. This theme of objectifying Marian Forrester and the idea that she is used to exemplify her husband is prominent throughout the novel. This idea sheds a light on the cultural views of the time period. The way Willa Cather describes the Forrester’s …show more content…

Forrester. In the novel when Niel is young, he suffers from a fall and is taken into the Forrester’s home. Throughout the serious issue, the main idea that is presented to the reader is not so much the injury, but the fact that Niel was inside the Forrester’s home with Mrs. Forrester. When he awakens from unconsciousness, the first thing he notices is “what soft fingers Mrs. Forrester had, and what a lovely lady she was” (Cather, 25). The reader is also presented with sexual imagery associated with Mrs. Forrester when she is tending to Niel. “Inside the lace ruffle of her dress he saw her white throat rising and falling so quickly” (Cather, 25). The reader is given this idea of her as a sexual object and we notice Niel’s desire for her. Also, while Niel is still recovering from his fall, he is so infatuated by the fact that he is in the house of Mrs. Forrester; he does not seem to recognize his injury. The objectivity continues while Niel is still in their house. The quote “Mrs. Forrester ran her fingers through his black hair and lightly kissed him on the forehead. Oh, how sweet, how sweet she smelled!” (Cather, 26). The relationship of between the Forresters and Niel continues throughout the novel. After Niel’s injury, the author takes the readers into later years. As Niel spends more time with the Forresters, the reader discovers more about the relationship with Mr. Forrester and Mrs. Forrester. Niel noticed that Mr. Forrester was one of the few women that had earrings. The text explains that Mr. Forrester “liked to see her wear these” and it gratified him to have his wife wear jewels; it meant something to him” (Cather, 38). From this quote, it is apparent that Mr. Forrester likes his wife to be pretty and have valuable jewels that many other women cannot afford. To him this may be a way to

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