The Freedom of Aging Women

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how we can ascertain what aging women expect their futures to be like and how they view old age by reading their poetry and other writings. In "When I am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple," (also known as "Warning") we learn that aging women are released from the tyranny of physical beauty. They are free to tap into themselves and rediscover the old liveliness lying dormant since they were young children. The poem offers a positive approach to aging and opens a vista of freedom and possibilities. The poem makes the revolutionary statement that aging isn't so bad after all.

Contents:
Method
Analysis
Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The poem is a reassurance to these women that old age has some positive aspects and is something to which they can look forward. In just a few years, they will no longer have to continue their efforts to maintain society's ideal of beauty--that is, a youthful and thin appearance. The poem, taken as a whole, also implies that it is a relief not to have to be sexually attractive to men anymore: "You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat..." In other words, there is freedom in not having to dress for other people, particularly for the male gaze, anymore. The first time I read this poem, I was reminded of my mother. When she reached the age of 79 and her 80th birthday was coming up soon, she gave up wearing a corset because, as she quietly explained to me, "I have reached an age now where I have a right to be comfortable.""

More papers on The Freedom of Aging Women:

• Book Review # 75357 : "J. Joseph's "When I am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple"
• Analytical Essay # 119726 : "Edith Wharton's Portrait of Society"
• Research Paper # 8737 : "Women Through the Ages"

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