Southern Women in Literature

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the Southern women in Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie" and William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" are depicted as being delicate, sheltered and harboring unrealistic goals about themselves and their relationships with men. The author points out that, because of the culture of the South, marriage is so important that the female protagonists go to tremendous lengths to assure they are married or at least appear married or have a sweetheart. The paper relates that both women live in the past: Amanda is unable to cope with family members who continually abandon her; whereas, Emily is unable to cope with the idea that a man could actually leave her.

From the Paper:

"Both women are also clear martyrs. Emily gives up everything for the man she loves, even her sanity, and will not be forced to relinquish him. She is a true martyr who shuts herself off from the entire world when Homer refuses her. Amanda too is a martyr; she is a martyr to her children, who she gives up "everything" for, including her happiness. She says, "I've had to put up a solitary battle all these years. But you're my right-hand bower! Don't fall down, don't fail!" Both women place their fate in the hands of others. Amanda clings much too tightly to her children, while Emily clings ..."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Faulkner, William. "A Rose for Emily." Personal Web Page. 2007. 28 April 2007.<http://www.ariyam.com/docs/lit/wf_rose.html>
• Williams, Tennessee. "The Glass Menagerie." Burlington County College. 2007. 28 April 2007.<http://staff.bcc.edu/faculty_websites/jalexand/Williams--The_Glass_Menagerie.htm>

More papers on Southern Women in Literature:

• Analytical Essay # 7362 : "Women in Southern Contemporary Literature"
• Research Paper # 63849 : "Childhood in the South"
• Analytical Essay # 140035 : "Gender & Sexuality in Song & Ming Literature"

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