Abstract This paper provides an in-depth biography of author Virginia Woolf. The author also discusses "A Room of One's Own" by Woolf and gathers some of Woolf's essays on women and literature. The writer discusses these essays in the light of modern women's liberation movements.
From the Paper "Woolf lays out several conditions that are necessary for women to be able to write literature. They include leisure time, privacy, and financial independence. She contends it has been much harder for women to write literature because throughout history they have been deprived of these basic needs. The title comes from the line "a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction."
This paper details what life was like living on the home front during World War II. It cover aspects of the men, women, and children living in the United States.
Abstract This paper is an in-depth explanation about what life was like for those who did not go off to combat duty in World War II. A summary is given about how the United States entered WWII and then is followed by aspects dealing with women working, children assuming new roles, and men away at war. The author describes the intense hardships and the sacrifices of war.
From the Paper "World War II led to a new life for many people in the United States. Hard times from the Great Depression were over and there were many opportunities for jobs. Although, people worried about the war that was going on overseas, the war helped businesses. People worked in factories producing guns and tanks and women had a chance to show the world that they, too, could do what men had done. Millions of young men, from all over the United States, became part of the army fighting in foreign lands. The women left behind at home were working at least eight hours a day. Children went to day care so that moms could work. Children also did their part collecting rubber, aluminum, tin, leather, paper, and cloth. This war was a major time for people to come together and support the country they loved. Life on the home front was very different now that World War II had come. Men, women, and children were all affected by the great changes that this war presented. It was time to put an entire country before oneself and deal with the terrible consequences of war."
Abstract This paper explores how the modern individual's needs in the marriage relationship are met. It demonstrates how marriage has grown from a traditional institution governed by rigid roles for husbands and wives, to a loosely defined partnership for companionship and growth. It also exhibits how the freedoms of our society place strains on marriages.
From the Paper "Marriage in the twentieth century has grown from a traditional institution governed by rigid roles for husbands and wives, to a loosely defined partnership for companionship and growth. As freedom in marriage roles expand, more is expected from marriage. Often husbands and wives are expected to have successful professions, be wonderful and involved parents, have a healthy and robust sex life, be each other's best friends, foster each other's spiritual growth, and still have time for separate activities and the community. And this is to be maintained over a life time! With expectations so high, with marriage "supposed" to be fulfilling so many needs, it's no wonder that the divorce rate is also high. The reality is bound to be a let down."
Abstract The paper examines male and female gender roles and discusses how they have magnified the myth of women's equality with men. The notion of gender confusion, and a subconscious fear of independence by women is documented in the research published in 1981, by feminist author Colette Dowling. She labeled this phenomenon the Cinderella Complex, and her research, conducted in the 1970s has served as the foundation for research on male and female roles in today's society. There is an abundance of material available on this topic, some of which are examined and include current research, books and movies that have been released using the theme of "Cinderella."
From the Paper "In the decades following Colette Dowling's 1981 introduction of the concept of gender confusion and misconceptions that she called the Cinderella Complex, women as well as men gradually became more comfortable with the reversal of sexual roles. As society moved toward the end of the twentieth century, the vivid images of the female as the damsel in distress and the male as the protective provider appeared to be fading from its collective consciousness and to be associated much more with the past than with the present. A mass media that had contributed greatly to the repeated impression of these older sexual stereotypes began during this era to promote a perception of the female reflective of her new, improved and much more liberated place within society. Standard-Times correspondent Sarah Guille pointed out this promotional transition in a 1999 article dealing with modern myths and their effects on both media and society. Guille noted that modern scenarios portrayed a Cinderella who, "instead of being carried off in a horse-drawn carriage to a fairy-tale castle with Prince Charming, went to work and could make her own ball gown, build her own castle and take responsibility for her own happily ever after" (Damaged by the Myth)."
Abstract This paper analyzes and compares two types of leadership - the "Wheel" and the "Web". The author sees that the twentieth century was marked by a series of economical, social and political changes that resulted in the restructuring and transformation of a number of traditional beliefs and customary views. This process, he believes, changed the fundamental framework of leadership, transforming it from the "wheel" that supported the Industrial Age to the "web" that forms the heart of the Age of Information. The "wheel" type of leadership is recognized by the fundamental traits of command, control and power and is commonly associated with the male leadership characteristics of individuality and autonomy. On the other hand, the leadership known as the "web", incorporates the basic traits of collaboration, communication and participation and is recognized by the characteristics of organization and cooperation that have come to be commonly associated with modern female leadership . This paper describes the face of modern female leadership as well as famous female leaders.
Table of Contents
I. A Transformation
II. The Face of Modern Female Leadership
III. Contrast, Comparison & Conclusion
From the Paper ""Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear and no concept of the odds against them...they make things happen" ~ Robert Jarvick, inventor of the artificial heart (Leadership). The characteristic mark of leadership and the traits of those who have excelled at it can be traced throughout the pages of world history and down through the centuries of the development of human civilization. Up until the twentieth century, these traits and characteristics showed some modification but little basic and fundamental change. The twentieth century, however, was marked by a series of economical, social and political changes that resulted in the restructuring and transformation of a number of traditional beliefs and customary views. This restructuring process included basic changes in the fundamental framework of leadership, transforming it from the "wheel" that supported the Industrial Age to the "web" that forms the heart of the Age of Information (Guido-DiBrito et al, 1996, pp. 28-29)."
Tags: leadership, male, female, 20th, century, wheel, web, Industrial, Age
Abstract This paper discusses the autobiography "Book of Margery Kempe". The paper examines the way the book was written, the themes in the book and how they compare to modern times and the character of Margery Kempe. The author also provides a brief comparison to Augustine's Confessions.
From the Paper "The Book of Margery Kempe takes us to a world that first seems very different from our own, and then oddly familiar ; and then very different once more. The book, which was dictated by the apparently illiterate Kempe to two clerks in the 1430s is often credited to be the first autobiography written in English. It presents us with the story of brewery owner, Christian mystic, and mother of 14 Margery Kempe."
Abstract The following paper explores Johanna M. Smith's critique of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" which the author feels is trapped by its goal of feminist analysis. In trying to determine gender roles, Smith categorizes and generalizes Shelley's characters. The author of this paper asserts that Shelley's protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, is much more complex and less categorical than Smith's analysis.
From the Paper "Initially, Smith observes that although Victor states his admiration for Elizabeth and affection for his family, he seems to avoid their presence throughout the narrative. He presents his parents as moral ideals, but fails to follow their examples of "patience, of charity, and of self-control"(42). Smith asks, "Why does this enclave of domestic virtues not produce a better Victor"?(318). If he values his family so highly, why does Victor continually neglect and avoid them? In her section titled "Cooped Up", Smith cites examples of Victor's gratitude towards his family, but asserts that this gratitude comes with an oppressive sense of obligation. Smith sees Victor's behavior as a rejection of the feminine domestic sphere in pursuit of the masculine scientific and public sphere. However, I feel Smith's dichotomy between the domestic and the sciences is an attempt to categorize a more complex relationship; her solution is too simplistic and bypasses other issues presented by the text. There is relevance to her claim, but the deeper conflict is between Frankenstein and his inner desires, as personified by the Wretch."
Abstract This paper examines the life of Margaret Thatcher and how she will always be remembered as the Iron Lady. The author feels that the impact she made on British government can never be reversed. This paper also discusses the role model that Ms Thatcher became for many women all over the world, and the immense progress in women's rights she inspired by becoming the first woman prime minister in Britain. The paper studies her life and achievements and the impact she has made on history.
From the Paper "Margaret Thatcher was a social revolutionary and one of the most brilliant conservatives of the twentieth century. She opened the door to women in European politics by becoming the first woman Prime Minister in British history. I am going to discuss some of the views, which she is known for, and I do mean some, because she had many and I would have to do an entire research paper to begin to cover them all."
Tags: Britain, century, england, history, twentieth, women, Margaret, Thatcher, Prime, Minister
Abstract The writer discusses the duties and involvement that women had in the Civil War as well as examples of patriotism shown by Southern women. We are also given some examples of female heroines from the war.
From the Paper ?When we think about a Southern Belle, we envision a pale, fragile wisp of a woman who swoons if it gets to hot. She is delicate and beautiful and must be taken care of by a man. Over the last centuries this is the image that we have adopted when it comes to the way we perceive Southern women. The reality however is much different. Even during the Civil War women of the Confederate side were tough, capable and willing to do what ever it took to win the war effort against the North.?
Tags: Civil, War, hospital, care, centers, medical, care, Matrons, education, rebellious, struggle, public
Abstract This paper analyzes Anne Sexton's life struggles and emotions as seen through her poetry. The author discusses Sexton's obsession with death in her works, leading up to her suicide in 1974. The paper looks at Sexton's poetic collections "Transformations", "Book of Folly", "The Awful Rowing Towards God" and "Live and Die".
From the Paper "In ?45 Mercy Street,? which was published after her suicide, Sexton refers to her life as ?the clumsy calendar in which she lives.? We realize here that the general confusion Sexton experienced in Sexton's short life is finally getting the better of her and her suicide may be imminent. She also mentions in her suicide note, which was also a poem published under the same name, that she has died before, ?once in November, and once in June.? This directness and ambiguity characterizes Sexton's poetry not as a type of genre or style, but as brutally honest and a true representation of her life."
Abstract This paper details the oppressive lives that women led in the 1800's and tells the tale of one married woman and how she coped. In "The Awakening", the protagonist discovers her sense of individuality and her sexual passions and has an affair in order to fulfill these needs. She becomes awakened and more aware of herself and leaves her husband. This paper also includes a critique of "The Awakening" by Woman's Rights movements.
From the Paper "The Awakening, which might have been more aptly titled, The Sexual Awakening shocked the delicate and rigid sensibilities of Kate Chopin's contemporaries of 1899, although many of those contemporaries were slowly experiencing awakenings of their own. In telling the story of a married woman who begins to realize that she is an individual human being, rather than a nonentity made up of female roles assigned by a male-dominated society, Chopin immediately struck resonant chords and rocked an already unbalanced boat. Rarely is such extreme reaction achieved unless the subject matter has deep roots tapping into the unspoken truth, and in this situation, the truth being dealt with was that of female oppression."
Abstract A brief comparison of the way people live in both China and India. It shows that both countries do not provide equal opportunities for their women - Communism and the caste system. In China the emphasis is on a good education and striving for hard work while in India most of the population is illiterate. The writer suggests that while both countries are densely populated their attitude towards life are very different.
From the Paper "The cultures of India and China share some similarities, yet are vastly different when answering the question of how ideally a person should live their life. India, as a country, embraces the diversity of their people, and lives peacefully despite the different religions that coexist. The country supports a large population that is estimated at over 1 billion people. The people of India speak thousands of languages, practice nearly every religion imaginable, and oddly enough still incorporate the caste system. China similarly supports a 1-billion+ population, along with social classes, but more emphasis is placed on being male, and receiving higher education. Communism has been a very intrusive government system, which has dramatically influenced the everyday way of life in China."
Abstract This paper is a literary analysis of Nathanial Hawthorne's tale about love, sin and redemption, "The Scarlet Letter". The author looks at the various themes in the novel, examines the symbolism and discusses the role of Puritan women in their society.
From the Paper "While others mock her, gossip about her and whisper her name, Hester stands, a strong woman, unintimidated by their threats. Nathaniel Hawthorne, in his book The Scarlet Letter presents the reader with a number of contrasting images to reinforce the themes in the book. Three themes he presents are: The nature of women, the problem of guilt, and the contrast between sin and grace. John Calwell Stubbs discusses some of these themes and images in his critical essay, ?The Scarlet Letter: A Tale of Fraternity and Sorrow.?
Abstract This paper analyzes and examines the issue of female police officers and maternity leave. In Part II, the history of women as police officers is discussed. Part III examines the Family Medical Leave Act and its assorted advantages and disadvantages. In Part IV, the maternity leave policies of eight police departments within the United States and two police departments from outside the United States are outlined. Part V reviews short-term disability insurance. Lastly, this paper concludes with proposals for improving and maintaining the current policies which govern female police officers and maternity leave.
From the Paper "Female police officers, much like female firefighters and females in the military, are a fairly recent development and evolution in history that was long overdue and met with some resistance initially. While females have experienced and overcome barriers to entry in numerous occupations, female police officers, female firefighters, and females in the military have had to deal with a culture and mentality that was (and still is to some degree) so firmly entrenched, i.e., the good old boys network taken to its extreme. Although certain individuals in society may believe that females should be excluded from becoming police officers, firefighters, or from joining the military due to their perceived emotional and/or physical weakness, the reality is that countless females are as qualified, if not more qualified, than their male counterparts. In addition, once a female becomes a police officer, firefighter, or joins the military, she will deal with and conquer the exact same challenges as the men, i.e., her life, like the lives of men, will be put on the line each and every single work day."
Abstract This paper examines the validity and accuracy of the functionalist and conflict perspectives which both adopt an over simplistic approach to a highly complex issue, deviance. The author discusses the way in which the development of Subcultural theory, Feminist theory, and Action theory among others is evidence of the impossibility of adequately addressing the topic of deviance within a single sociological perspective.
From the Paper ?The functionalist perspective's approach to deviance is based, to a large extent, on Emile Durkheim's theory of anomie and the subsequent reworking of this concept by Robert Merton, who believed that in societies such as America, where the commonly shared cultural goal is economic success, there will be individuals who are unable to legitimately achieve those goals. This situation, Merton argues, results in a breakdown of the social norms among these "under-achievers", who will then use other, illegitimate methods of gaining success.?
Tags: instantly, apparent, single, universally, applicable, definition, exists, general, agreement, social, norms
