Abstract The author of this paper shows how Gullickson clarifies a common misperception of history through unfolding an historical narrative and contrasting popular illustrations and images with historical documentation. The paper shows how this contrast was made using the women of Paris during the Paris Commune of 1871 as an example.
From the Paper "Even supporters of the Commune, however, tended to accept the notion of women in politics in schematic, rather than humanistic terms. While the conservatives saw the women of the commune as either furies or devils, supporters both of the day and historians of the past saw the women as ministering angels. Liberals tended to see the women of the commune also, not as soldiers engaging in a struggle, or engaging in intelligent and vital actions and negotiating strategies, but merely as physical representations of freedom (like Marianne in the painting "Liberty Leading the People)."
Abstract An essay which discusses images of women in modern and contemporary southern literature. The author of the paper uses several stories as examples, including "Fried Green Tomatoes" by Fanny Flag, Eudora Welty's "A Worn Path" and "Good Country People" by Flannery O'Connor.
From the Paper "Most of the male Southern writers; characters are dark and filled with psychological turmoil. Just think of Faulkner and Tennessee Williams. Their characters are complex and often maudlin. Women Southern writers on the other hand seem to squeeze in humor and irony even among the most sentimental tale. Flannery O";Connor is one example of female Southern writers who seemed to always have a twist of irony in her plots and characters. "
Tags: dialect, Southern, Renaissance, Caroline, Gordon, Lillian, Hellman, Phoenix, Jackson
Abstract The author of the paper shows that even though most people acknowledge that words can do real harm, many continue to insist that sexist language is a trivial concern. This paper looks at the reasons why it is important to be careful about the language that we use. It is all too easy for opponents of care in language to toss off concerns about bias as "political correctness". But it is important that the rest of us insist that "political correctness" can be viewed another way: As basic courtesy and civility. The paper uses several examples to demonstrate sexist language.
From the Paper "The first comes from my high school, where one of the teachers a man ; would always scoff at requests by students that he not used biased language. ;I never feel left out when people talk about men; as meaning all of humanity; he would say. I know that they;re talking about the species as a whole, not just people with Y chromosomes. He was, it should be noted, speaking without any apparent irony. He never seemed to be able to appreciate the fact that while he might not feel left out, women and girls would."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth examination of the role that La Malinche played in Mexican history and culture. The author gives the reader an historical overview, including the fact that she was an actual person, whose actions caused her to lose favor in society. This is done through the review and analysis of two pieces of works by historians, one male and one female, Casillo and Paz. The author also points out that La Malinche is not a well-known personality outside of Mexican culture, but her history dates back to the mid-sixteenth century. According to the paper, La Malinche's role in history has been revived by feminists who feel that her tainted past is the result of the chauvinistic nature of Mexican society which has begun to evolve over the years. For many Mexican women she is a symbol of independence and endurance of the Mexican people, and she should be accorded respect and proper recognition in history.
From the Paper "These many complications and elaborations of this essential and essentializing dichotomy about the true nature of woman can be seen to come together in the character of La Malinche, a figure not well known outside of Mexico (except to those whose families originally came from Mexico). This paper explores the figure of La Malinche, a figure who representations have over the years become at least in general more positive as Mexicans have regained a sense of themselves as a people worthy of self-respect ? and as Mexican women have refused to see themselves as meriting only the role of a traitor condemned to silence."
Abstract A review of the changing roles of women during the last century from getting the right to vote in 1919 to the current gender roles for women.This paper illustrates how the changing gender roles are viewed by society and what kind of hardships were faced. It shows how the two World Wars forced women's rights into the front line.
From the Paper "World War I was a tumultuous time in American history. It was the first major war that the United States became involved in with Europe. Yet, bitter wounds were still healing from the Civil War fought approximately fifty years earlier. When the outbreak of World War I began, the United States felt it would be prudent to stay, at first, out of the war. However after the loss of several powerful European countries the United States was forced to enter the war. While most of the soldiers that fought in the War were men, a great majority of them included women. Previously, women were rarely allowed positions near battle. Only women nurses were allowed near the battle lines, but few if any, were allowed to pick up a weapon. World War I marked a change in the way women were viewed in the military. A record number of women participated in the war effort in a variety of aspects, from soldiers to entertainers. ?? Twenty ? five thousand American women tool their talents, energy, and concern for humanity to war torn Europe as nurses, dentists, dietitians, occupational and physical therapists, administrators, secretaries, drivers, entertainers, canteen workers, interpreters, pilots, soldiers, journalists, and telephone operators.? (Schneider 183) Previously, women were not allowed to actively participate in the war effort. The emergence of women in the battlefield set a precedence that allowed women to participate in the wars to follow. Furthermore, a more important outcome of the participation of women in war, was that it showed men that women were capable of accomplishing tasks that were otherwise thought of as only "men's work" starting a chain ? reaction that percolated to other vices of society as well. Thus, World War I changed the role that women played in a society at war. Consequently, many women started enlisting in certain branches of service like the navy, air force, and army. Despite a record number of women who enlisted in the military many were met with staunch opposition from military personnel who did not want women fighting in the war. However, there was a great deal of officers who did not mind having women in their ranks and thus recruited them wholeheartedly. ?The Navy simply ignored The War Department dissenters and quickly recruited women. Nearly thirteen ? thousand women enlisted in the Navy and The Marine Corps as the same status as men and wore a uniform blouse with insignia. These were the first women in the U.S. to be admitted to full military rank and status.?(Women in World War One). Prior to this time period it would be difficult for men to even conceive women in the military, but because of the turmoil of this age women were allowed into military positions. Consequently, the admittance of women in battle with men changed the roles that women played during war forever. No longer would women be thought of as only child ?bearers; they could have some equality with men during times of war."
Tags: gender, rights, role, socialization, vote, women
Abstract A discussion of the the book, "First Generations" by Carol Berkin which explores the lives of women who immigrated to America from other countries, and Native Americans that were there when the immigrations started. The paper shows how the book follows through two centuries of life in America, to show how women's lives changed, improved and/or degraded during this time and how it tells in detail how people, especially women, lived in the 17th and 18th centuries.
From the Paper "Berkin's accounts of everyday life and women in general do agree with other who have written on the subject, but her book adds detail and description to the other accounts. Most "everyday life in colonial times" books tend to generalize about how people lived, but Berkin's book breaks America down by area, and shows how different areas, and their weather, surroundings, and even settlers affected how people lived. She differentiates between frontier households, urban households, and rural households, and shows how women made additional income in each of these areas.
"She also discusses leisure time, birthing methods, and more intimate details of early lives. She even discusses menstruation rights among the Native Americans, and how women came together for births, weddings, and funerals. Her book delves deeper into real live, and gives more intimate details of how women interacted with each other, with their families, and in society."
Abstract Using an imaginary story as an example, this paper illustrates the experience of going through a witch trial in the 1600s. It traces events from the arrest of the woman, interrogation, treatment in prison through to the Salem witch trials a few weeks later. The experience of the trial is also looked at in detail.
From the Paper "My name was Sarah Nurse, and I lived in Salem Village, in the year 1692. Several weeks ago, many men came to my house, and showed me a warrant for my arrest. They questioned me for some time, and then told me they were taking me to jail. Jail! For something I did not even understand. They took me away so quickly; I did not even have time to kiss my dear children and husband goodbye."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed discussion about the work of Elizabeth I and how it does not reflect the traditional view of women. The writer of this paper examines two of Elizabeth I's works; "Speech to the Troops at Tilbury" and "The Doubt of Future Foes" to illustrate the non-traditional views that they reflect.
From the Paper "During the last four decades the women's movement has worked to equalize the genders in all areas of life. Before the movement however women were not considered equal to men in most venues. Elizabeth I who resided in the 16th century, was well known for her refusal to comply with the chauvinistic attitude of her time. She was a woman who never married, and refused to allow her gender to dictate her power or goals. She was well known for her works which included poems, speeches and other words of wisdom, and even in her works she refused to give in to the gender biased that was so accepted of her time."
Abstract The paper reviews the book "The Long Loneliness" which is set during the Depression era. Dorothy Day desperately searches for some meaning and purpose to her life. This search results in her conversion to Catholicism. From then onwards, she devotes herself to community work, which is her way of staying in touch with God. Her autobiography, "The Long Loneliness" talks about the turmoil of her times, and her renewed faith in religion and God. The paper reflects on various experiences of Day's life and the lessons she learns from them.
From the Paper "Dorothy Day is and will always be remembered as one of the most prolific American writers of the Depression era. But Day was not exactly a writer, as one would conclude from the warm reviews that that her books received. She was essentially a social activist who wrote novels only to serve her life goals and objectives. "
An analysis of two books which deal with ecofeminism - "The Death of Nature" by Caroline Merchant and "The Power and the Promise of Ecological Feminism" by Karen Warren.
Abstract This essay provides a critical summary and response of the books "The Death of Nature" and "The Power and the Promise of Ecological Feminism" . The paper summarizes the main argument of each ecofeminism author. The response argues the position that nature is defenseless matter and thus subject to human domination and that women and men should be viewed as complementary of one another rather than oppositional.
From the Paper "The book "The Death of Nature" by Caroline Merchant seeks to explain the historic correlation between the supremacy of nature and women. Merchant asserts that the scientific revolution fashioned a society that perpetuates a mechanistic view of nature rather than an organic view of a feminine natural world that was in existence before the revolution. The former views nature as inert matter that is subject to human domination, while the latter view emphasizes mutual existence between the environment and human beings. (Armitage on Merchant?s; Death of Nature)"
Abstract The paper discusses and analyzes "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin, a book about a young woman, Edna Pontellier, who is restrained by her marriage and the responsibilities of being a woman in the 1800s. The paper examines the various relationships in the novel and the character of Edna before and after her 'awakening'.
From the Paper "Although it was unusual for a woman to have her own interests outside of the family, Edna, clung to her hobby of painting. She used painting as a way to further gain her freedom. Painting was the one thing that the men could not take away. It became a mechanism for escape. It took great courage for her to stand up against her husband and insist that she paint. Although it was probably unlikely for a woman to be a great painter in her time, Edna took on the hobby as a talent in which she wanted to excel."
A paper which details the contributions writers such as Mary Shelley, Ann Radcliffe and Mary Wollstonecraft made to the emancipation of female literary talent.
Abstract The paper shows that the objective during the time of revelation in early nineteenth century Britain was for British women writers to give of themselves in a more defiant manner, setting themselves apart from the calmer, more feminine climate that had heretofore inhabited British literature. The paper shows that British women writers decided they wanted to be better recognized for their inherent literary contributions without being labeled either too feminine or too masculine; rather, they wanted to write like a man without having to be branded by the stigma that typically came with it. The paper explores how authors such as Mary Shelley, Ann Radcliffe and Mary Wollstonecraft contributed to this emancipation movement.
From the Paper "Mary Shelley, Ann Radcliffe and Mary Wollstonecraft represent an era of the Romantic Period where women were beginning to come out of their literary shells and confront the strongly emotional and defiant aspects of writing that their male counterparts had harbored for so many years prior. With their guidance, subsequent British women writers were given the much-needed opportunity to express themselves in such a manner that embraced both their feminine and masculine sides."
Abstract This paper describes the emergence of different types of pornography since its inception and analyzes how it has been regulated and its affect on society as a whole.
From the Paper "The first definition found of pornography dates from 1806 (Hunt, 1996). This writer divided what we call pornography into three categories, two of them not related to sex: religious, political and moral. Because of pornography's emergence as a vehicle for criticism and its production by the most radical thinkers in a time of great change, it was viewed as a threat to the status quo, which was its authors intent (Hunt, 1996). Pornography began more as attacks on those in power than attacks on the concept of ?decency.? Thus, as Hunt reports, the history of pornography rapidly became the history of attempts to regulate pornography."
Abstract The following paper examines how India, a region that lags in social development, education and rights of women has one of the highest birth rates in the world. This paper argues that there is nothing like population control. The concept does not exist. The writer asserts that what exists is equality and empowerment in education, reproductive health and other areas as effective means of fighting the growth curve.
From the Paper "The world has a population of six billion. India alone has a population of one billion, in spite of the fact that India was the first country in the world to have a population policy. This large population is causing alarm. India is in the midst of a demographic transition, with fertility rates definitely declining, though not as fast as was expected. Population growth is the reason for every environmental problem facing India today, and many of their economic and social dilemmas as well. India, with a current estimated population of one billion and a population growth rate of 2.15%, has specifically staggering population-related problems, as one-third of the total population are subject to live below the poverty line. In addition, India's natural and environmental resources are shrinking. 53% of India's total land area is prone to soil erosion; dense and closed forests have been declining considerably and widespread water scarcity and water pollution subsist."
Abstract This paper examines the life of Margaret Sanger and the amazing work which she performed for the advancement of women's rights and status in early 20th century America. It looks at how her personal life influenced the choice of actions she chose and how her impact is still felt on women today.
From the Paper "Founder of the American birth control movement, Margaret Sanger (1879-1966) is one of the most influential, and respected, women in American history. Her crusade for birth control and family planning, while facing strong social, political, and religious opposition, created change and controversy within American society. In addition to ensuring universal availability of birth control and family planning education, her projects and research have led to the creation of organizations such as the National Organization for Women (NOW) and Planned Parenthood."
