The Role Of Feminism In The Bean Trees

Motherhood and Feminism in the Bean Trees

Joanna Symon
English 11R
Mr. Alfino
May 11, 2015
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Feminism is all about equality between men and women. Often times in history woman were discriminated; they had less significant roles in society. After becoming mothers they had to make sacrifices and had fewer opportunities in terms of education and careers. Even in modern society in spite of the technological and scientific advances women's roles haven't changed much. However, some women have broken stereotypes and adversities in order to achieve their goals. In the novel The Bean Trees written by Barbara Kingsolver, feminism and motherhood stands out as significant and paramount themes. The author uses

themes to convey her message through characters to the readers that if given the choice women can live an independent life without the support of a man.
Born in Annapolis, Maryland, Kingsolver had a passion for reading and writing from childhood. She attended DePauw University to study biology, and later went on to work as a technical writer and freelance journalist. Many readers consider The Poison Wood Bible set in Congo as her masterpiece. Some of her significant works include A Year of Food Life and Flight Behavior. In the year of 2000, she was presented with National Humanities Medal for her works.
"I can hardly count the ways that being a mother has broadened
my writing, deepened my connection to all other women, and
galvanized my commitment to the Earth and its fate," she mused in
High Tide in Tucson” ( Kort).

In 1988 she wrote The Bean Trees which reflected various events that she experienced in her life or were set in places she lived. The circumstances in which Kingsolver was brought up, played a

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major role in the portrayal of the characters in her novels. The major protagonist in this story is Taylor Greer; other supporting characters are Lou Ann, Alice Greer, Mattie and Esperanza.
The theme of feminism is seen throughout this novel. These female characters who faced obstacles in their lives, but still supported themselves without being dependent on the patriarchal figures in their society. In the beginning of the novel the readers are introduced to Taylor Greer, a courageous and self-reliant woman who leaves her hometown Kentucky and moves towards the west to seek better opportunities. Even with less money, an abused and abandoned child and no place to live, Taylor never lost courage. Later on in the novel we are introduced to Lou Ann another woman who breaks the conventional norms of society and chooses not to live with her husband anymore and support her son by

herself.
“Barbara Kingsolver challenges this conventional depiction of women by creating fictional world that foregrounds strong, independent female characters who epitomize women's conflicting and conflicted roles within a
Patriarchal society.”(Arciniega)

The women work together to support each other in times of need. Their unity and
independence in this novel disproves the society’s idea of needing a man in woman's life to support her. When they are facing difficulties, they have each other's shoulders to lean on. Mattie is introduced as the owner of a workshop named ‘Jesus Is Lord Used Tires’. Workshops like these are usually a forte of men, for here we see a woman who has chosen to take up a job usually done by men.
“I have never seen a woman with this kind of know-how. It made me feel proud, somehow. In Pittman if a woman had tried to have her own tire store she would have been run out of business.” (Kingsolver 45)
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Mattie is portrayed as an intelligent and a tough woman who provides shelter for the illegal immigrants fully aware of the fact that her actions would endanger her life.
Another theme that is prominent in this novel is motherhood. Taylor who leaves her hometown in order to prevent pregnancy ends up being handed down a child by a Cherokee woman.
"The most amazing thing was the way that child held on. From the first
moment I picked it up out of its nest of wet blanket, it attached itself to me
by its little hands like roots sucking on dry dirt." (Kingsolver 22)

She discovers that the child is a girl who has been sexually abused which completely shocks her. Even though the child was brutally molested Taylor decides to take care of her instead of thinking of her as a burden. Esperanza, another character in the novel is a mother who lost her child. She cares for Turtle like her own daughter and shares an attachment towards her. LouAnn has the responsibility of taking care of her son all by her herself, after her husband leaves her. She then transforms herself from a reliant housewife to an independent mother.

“The specter of fatherlessness brings out the self-sufficiency of women.
Susan B. Anthony stated in "Homes of Single Women" (1877) that lone females display satisfaction and economy, proving their abilities to survive without male support.” (Snodgrass)

Mattie one of the characters in the novel, displays motherhood by caring not only for the illegal immigrants but also for Taylor and Lou Ann, just as a loving mother would care for a child.

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The author portrays strong characters who exhibit independence, courage and perseverance to face hurdles in a male dominated society, yet are able to overcome their difficulties successfully. At the same time these characters also illustrate their motherly instincts. Throughout the story we observe a fine balance between feminism and motherhood in all of the characters. Through the characters the author inspires women to be self-reliant and motivated to achieve what they believe in. Symon

WORK CITED

Arciniega, Lourdes.

"Gender in the Bean Trees." McClinton-Temple, Jennifer ed. Encyclopedia of Themes in Literature. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2011. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 27 Apr. 2015
Kingsolver, Barbara. The Bean Trees: pg 22 A Novel. New York: Harper Collins, Copyright 1988.
Kingsolver, Barbara. The Bean Trees: pg 45 A Novel. New York: Harper Collins, Copyright 1988.
Kort, Carol. "Kingsolver, Barbara." A to Z of American Women Writers, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2007. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 9 May 2015
Snodgrass, Mary Ellen. "Female victims and feminist literature." Encyclopedia of Feminist Literature. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literature.
Snodgrass, Mary Ellen. "matriarchy and feminist literature." Encyclopedia of Feminist Literature. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 24 Apr. 2015
Snodgrass, Mary Ellen. "patriarchy and feminist literature." Encyclopedia of Feminist Literature. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 1 May 2015
Snodgrass, Mary Ellen. "single parenting and feminist literature." Encyclopedia of Feminist Literature. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's

Literature.
Snodgrass, Mary Ellen. "woman's work and feminist literature." Encyclopedia of Feminist Literature. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literature

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Outline
Title: The usage of themes in The Bean trees
Thesis Statement: In the novel The Bean Trees written by Barbara Kingsolver, feminism and motherhood stands out as significant and paramount themes.

Author Biography
The early life of Barbara Kingsolver
Her works and achievements.

The theme of feminism
Taylor leaving her hometown to chase her dreams
Mattie breaking into the forte of men

The theme of motherhood
Taylor‘s adoption of an abandoned child
Mattie taking care of illegal immigrants

IV. Conclusion
The author inspires readers to become self-reliant and follow their dreams.