The Yellow Wallpaper Feminism

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Recommended: The role of women in a patriarchal society

I am a black feminist woman living in a word dominated and controlled by men. This does not indicate that I am anti-man, but instead that I am pro-woman. The 21st century has seen a major progression in the establishment of political, economic and social equality between men and women, but there is still a long way to go. Women’s struggles have been an issue for hundreds of years as they combat the stereotype of being subordinate, weak, powerless and fragile, among other degrading notions. Feminist activists have and to this day, are fighting for women to have equal opportunities as men. As a feminist, I am regularly looking at the world and the society we live in and viewing the ways in which women are treated; whether positively or negatively. …show more content…

From doing this I noticed that the novelists, whether male or female, incorporated various characters that stem from the patriarchal society that they occupied. Women in the Victorian era had very defined and rigid roles; they were considered to be physically and emotionally weaker than men yet virtuously superior, which meant that they were best suited for the private or domestic sphere. This pertains to the idea that it was their job to stay at home and take care of the household duties such as cooking, cleaning and caring for the children. It was their duty to rectify the moral taint of the public sphere dominated by the men. It is important to realize that notion of inferiority connected to women stems from the male gaze. The male gaze is a key aspect of feminist theory and it refers to the way that men look at women. It is an oppressive and sexualized way of “looking” that objectifies women and empowers men, which is deeply rooted in patriarchal ideologies and discourse. The male gaze also affects how women look at themselves, as they start to internalize these male-driven perceptions about women and compare it to themselves and their bodies thus leading to feelings of …show more content…

Rosamond is the epitome of beauty and charm so much so that the men view her as an angel and the best girl in the world. Her aspirations are linked to the traditional female conventions in Victorian society of marriage, wealth and social status. To achieve this, she marries the young, ambitious doctor, Tertius Lydgate, who represents the concept of the male gaze. During their first encounter, Lydgate instantly falls in love with Rosamond after witnessing her abilities as an actress. When Lydgate is conversing with her afterward, it is evident that he is viewing her through the gaze. He visually assesses her and paints her in a sexualized light because he is captivated by her beauty; “Lydgate was almost forgetting that he must carry on the conversation, in thinking how lovely this creature was, her garment seeming to be made out of the faintest blue sky, herself so immaculately blond, as if the petals of some gigantic flower had just opened and disclosed her; and yet with this infantine blondness showing so much ready, self-possessed grace” (149). In this moment, the omniscient narrator takes control of Lydgate’s mind, and provides the reader with his sexualized perspective of Rosamond’s beauty and leaves. Lydgate becomes aware of himself and resumes his attention to the conversation. Rosamond is Lydgate’s idealized female image and he regards her allure as

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