Abstract This paper explains that, although "The Country Wife", a 1675 restoration comedy by William Wycherley, and "A Doll's House", an 1879 play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, were written at different times, both portray the sexualpolitics that existed between couples during those periods. The author point out that both stories involve possessive love, marriages fraught with deception and struggles between the sexes; however, these plays differ in several significant ways. The paper relates that Wycherley's Margery is unsophisticated at the beginning of the play while Ibsen's Nora maintains a level of city sophistication throughout the play. The author states that the primary conflict between the couples is sex for Wycherley but money for Ibsen. The paper reveals that, while both Nora and Margery hold the majority of the power by the end of each play, Nora uses her power to leave her husband while Margery stays and manipulates her husband.
Table of Contents:
Love Marriage SexualPolitics Conclusion
From the Paper "Both men also treat their wives as being stupid. In Act I, Torvald calls out to Nora from his study, asking if it was his "little lark twittering out there" (Ibsen Act 1). He goes on to ask if she is his "little squirrel bustling about" and, later, takes her by her ear and calls her his "little featherhead" (Act 1). Clearly, Torval is objectifying his wife, rather than identifying her as a thinking woman. Similarly, Pinchwife feels that Margery is too stupid to make any plans to deceive him, even when she proves herself to the audience to be very capable of doing just that."
Abstract This paper discusses how media is particularly dependent on sexualpolitics as a thematic representation and as a guiding force for human emotion and how this is particularly true with regard to dramatic representations in film. It focuses on two movies, which pay particularly close attention to sexualpolitics, "Swept Away" (the original 1974 and the newer 2002 versions) and "Pulp Fiction". It looks at how "Swept Away" pays particular interest to social class with an emphasis on sadomasochism and how "Pulp Fiction" deals with the inner workings of the sexualpolitics in a complicated subculture of sex, drugs and crime.
From the Paper "The cinematography and setting of Swept Away in both film versions detail the loneliness of man in a world where individuals and whole societies express love and longing through materialism and end courting with violent and absurd expressions of pain and pleasure. The film, is similar in tenor to Nine 1/2 Weeks (1986) another cult classic film dedicated to the idea of sexual politics driving personal relationships and leading to not real love but love that is expressed through dominance and possession as well as objectified bodies. "
Abstract This paper looks at how, in her essay, "Why Black SexualPolitics", Patricia Hill Colins analyzes portrayals of black sexuality in the white-dominated media and in a white-dominated culture. The paper discusses how Collins argues that black bodies and black sexuality have been appropriated and manipulated by the dominant culture to perpetuate cycles of oppression and how this oppression does not end with racism but extends through to gender-based oppression, heterosexism, and class inequities.
From the Paper "Collins shows how and why black sexuality continues to be presented as deviant, as wild, animalistic, primitive, and savage. When racism was overt, black sexuality was directly associated with animal perversion. Racism has gone underground in a sense; racism is now color-blind but continues to dictate ways black sexuality is portrayed in the mainstream media. Collins uses Beyonce, Destiny's Child, and Jennifer Lopez of icons of the new black sexuality and therefore, of the new racism. These artists and others like them have profited from the myth of black sexuality, capitalizing ironically on the new racism. Black sexuality is, however, an "invented discourse," notes Collins (p. 28). White media moguls and politicians have invented and wielded the discourse to maintain a position of domination and authority in society."
Abstract This paper discusses that the romantic comedy "Fools Rush In" and the drama ?Love Story? both present a society in which social differences can be overcome by love, part of the American Dream. The paper explains that ?Love Story? is a tragic story about the marriage of two young people, which also delves into the relationship each has with their father. The author feels that "Fools Rush In" is not a very good film, too given to stereotypes to be more than a frilly comedy.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Background
Arguments
Conclusion
From the Paper "The couples in these two films are drawn quite differently, though in both cases the male has a family seen as too stiff and soulless to allow for change, while the female has a family that is earthy, real, and open to change. This is less evident in "Fools Rush In" given that the girl's family also opposes this marriage and sees one element of the American Dream to be being left to live in a social and cultural enclave with your own kind, which is not that different from the way the WASP parents view what they want. The American Dream in "Love Story" is too widely accepted to be one specific thing. It is also too easy to achieve, with differences between ethnic groups being minimal when all are at least White if not of the same religion or background."
Abstract This paper examines Gregory Corso's famous poem "Marriage"; Corso's speaker is disillusioned by the convention of marriage, which seems incompatible--or at least in conflict--with the uniqueness and individuality of his generation. It explains how the speaker explores courtship and three forms of the matrimonial state: from the perspectives of the rich, poor and middle class. Criticizing popular (and unintelligent) culture, he examines the stereotypical forms of marriage; after determining the pros and cons of each, he decides to wait "up to 2,000 years" to find the woman who will transcend popular culture and engage him spiritually, sexually, interpersonally and intellectually. After this funny but serious debate, he refuses to compromise love for the mere comforts and conveniences of conventional marriage.
From the Paper "Gregory Corso uses a confluence of sarcasm and wit to criticize the disillusionment of the individual caused by various social constructs in American society. Corso manages to infuse humor in this long criticism of the sacred institution of marriage without losing either his credibility or the audience's attention-readers from across the intellectual spectrum are attracted to the captivating combination of gravity and levity in Marriage. Corso's humor is indeed structured to add to the poem's seriousness by raising a series of profound and absurd questions regarding the mutual exclusivity of love and marriage."
Abstract This paper addresses the politics of sexuality and gender in three specific works from ancient Greece. These works are dramas, and are the "Iliad", "Antigone", and "Lysistrata".
From the Paper "The roles of men and women in Greek society are of particular interest, and demonstrate that a type of "fued" seemed to exist between the genders in ancient Greece. "
Abstract This creative writing piece is set in London, about a guy named Raheem and his trials in meeting his fiancee, Sheri's parents and family in Senegal.The author describes Raheem's fears and anxiety on meeting Sheri's family for the first time, as Raheem was abandoned as a kid by his parents. Everything went well in the beginning but then there's a twist of fate and the wedding is nearly called off because of something that happened twenty years ago. In the end love triumphs and Raheem gets to marry Sheri.
From the Paper "Dusk barely broke. Raheem smoked the last cigarette in his pack and did not care about where the next one would come from. He was going to Dakar tomorrow to meet Sheri's parents. Nothing else mattered now. Sheri still slept. She always slept well. Raheem did not; ever since he was a little boy his sleep was restless and full of dreams. Usually the dreams meant nothing but sometimes the same people would appear. He imagined that the man and woman in them were his parents but not having ever met them Raheem could only hope that they chose his nighttime visions to say hello. The people in his dreams looked nothing like the people in the photo he carried in his wallet."
This paper discusses three of Chaucer's tales, "The Wife of Bath," "The Merchant's Tale," and "The Franklin's Tale," to determine Chaucer's views on marriage, arguing that "The Franklin's Tale" suggests Chaucer's idea of an ideal marriage.
Abstract This paper relates that the Wife of Bath introduces herself as the authority on marriage and marital life, commenting on the social and legal position of women in marriage and daily life and, rather than rejecting scriptural authority, she appeals to logic, rejecting too strict interpretations of scriptural rules and commandments. The author points out that, during the Middle Ages, it was widely believed that the highest type of chivalric love was incompatible with marriage, but The Franklin boldly challenges this view by pointing out that love can be consistent with marriage; indeed, without love, marriage is doomed for failure. The paper relates that the main virtue of 'The Franklin's Tale" is the noble spirit, which is seen throughout it, and the idea that love, patience, and forgiveness are the true essence of love and marriage.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Wife
The Merchant
The Franklin
Discussion and Conclusion
From the Paper "The Wife of Bath is one of the strongest characters in "The Canterbury Tales". Headstrong, loud and opinionated, she represents a major struggle against the degradation of women and the taboos against female sexuality. She presents many strong arguments against rigid religious rules for chastity and monogamy, using Biblical examples, such as the tale of King Solomon, to show that the Bible does not actually condemn sexuality, even outside of marriage."
Tags: characters, canterbury, logic, chivalry, love
Abstract This paper examines the work of Milan Kundera and his writing on sexuality, sexualpolitics, political struggle and power. The author looks at the theories of Foucault as well as Giddens to analyze various theories on the subject and to assess Western cultures. A look at arguments about dichotomy and sexual democracy in today's society.
From the Paper "Milan Kundera's short story collection, Laughable Loves, does a wonderful job of exploring sexuality, and its dynamic. He is able to step away from his characters, and simply observe the actions and thoughts that run though their each character';s mind. Also, Kundera';s work is useful because we get to bounce the ideas, especially of sexual politics and the corners people back themselves into, as well as the shifts in power, with regard to this political struggle"
Abstract Gay and lesbian marriage has become a controversial debate in contemporary society. There are heated arguments for and against the legalization of marriage between couples of the same sex. This paper explains that the underlying assumption for those in favor of gay marriages is that the central aspects of love, relationship, and understanding should override all other issues. However, this paper argues that the situation is not quite that simple. There are numerous factors that militate against the acceptance of gay marriage as an institution in modern society. The paper points out that gay marriages have the potential to create serious problems with regard to a range of very important social and cultural issues that make marriages of this nature untenable in modern society.
From the Paper "The argument that I wish to propose is not based on any of these perceptions or views. The central argument against the institution of gay and lesbian marriage has nothing to do with assumptions and judgments about homosexuality, and neither do I wish to deprive people of their intrinsic and inalienable democratic rights. Rather the objection to same-sex marriage is simply based on the fact that it contributes to the downfall of society; more particularly the institution of the family - the foundation of society - and subsequently will impact negatively on the development of children within the society. Therefore, the argument against gay marriage that I propose is based purely on practical and societal considerations."
Abstract This paper evaluates a statement made by Andrew Greeley "that some believe that our society has become increasingly permissive and saturated with sexuality". The author notes that such statements are based on increasing depictions of sex and sexuality in the media, the reason for an increasing divorce rate and higher rates of teenage pregnancy. The paper discusses the belief that society is becoming a more secular and less religious .
From the Paper "Andrew Greeley wrote some years ago "that some believe that our society has become increasingly permissive and saturated with sexuality." Such plaints are based on increasing depictions of sex and sexuality in the media for the most part, as well as on views of the reason for an increasing divorce rate, higher rates of teenage pregnancy, and the belief that this is becoming a more secular and less religious society. The relationship between religion and sexuality has always been complex, and while religion in many regions began with fertility cults that associated sexuality and fecundity with the growth of crops beneficial to the community, over time fears developed about the disruptive effects of sexuality, with the potential for reducing social controls and with issues raised about female behavior in particular in societies that saw women as chattel."
This paper studies the articles of 'Sexuality' and the 'Sexual Revolution', discusses the subject of sexuality and looks at its social and political aspects.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 1 source, 2005, $ 26.95
Abstract Sexuality is a term that means different things to different people. The same can be stated for sexuality in politics, religion, and social relations. This paper discusses the articles of 'Sexuality' and the 'Sexual Revolution'. How is sexuality a political issue? How does sexuality affect the way people live? How has sexuality changed through the years? These questions are important in helping a person develop their own sexual identity and understand why a person believes the way he/she does about social politics or the social issues of sexuality.
From the Paper "Sexuality is a term that means different things to different people. The same can be stated for sexuality in politics, religion, and social relations. This paper discusses the articles of "Sexuality" and "The Sexual Revolution." How is sexuality a political issue? How does sexuality affect the way people live? How has sexuality changed through the years? These questions are important in helping a person develop their own sexual identity and understand why a person believes the way he/she does about social politics or the social issues of sexuality. The authors show how sexuality is affected by both religion and politically. Sexuality has changed over the years in many different ways. "Throughout the course of U.S. history, the meaning of sexuality has been continuously reshaped by changing economic and social institutions". At one time the word "sex" would get the attention of people because sexuality was not discussed in public."
Abstract This paper is an analysis of the novel "Love Medicine" by Louise Eldrich. This novel plays on words and the emotions of people. While at one end the characters are concerned with their spirituality as it comes into conflict with their culture, at the other end they contend with the basic instincts of sexuality within their nature. The narrator creates a story of cultural assimilation. This contends that through assimilation the identity of the individual is lost.
From the Paper " The novel Love Medicine by Louise Eldrich is one that plays on words and the emotions of people. While at on end the characters are concerned with their spirituality as it comes into conflict with their culture. I.e. the conflict between Christianity and Native American Culture at the other end they contend with the basic instincts of sexuality within their nature. Combining the two thoughts the narrator creates a story of cultural assimilation. This contends that through assimilation the identity of the individual is lost."
Abstract This paper is a literary critique about the novel "Pride and Prejudice". It comments on the view of marriage as portrayed through the characters in the novel.
From the Paper "19th century England had serious social problems from the heyday of Royalty and Nobility. One of the most significant of these was the tendency to marry for money. A person sought a partner based on the dowry receivable and their allowance. This process went both ways: a beautiful woman might be able to snag a rich husband, or a charring and handsome man could woo a rich young girl. In these marriages, money was the only consideration. Love was left out, with the thought that it would develop as the years went by. In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen comments that marriage in her time is a financial contract, where love is strictly a matter of chance. This is clearly evident from the very first line of the novel: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" (Austen, 1). "
Abstract This paper compares Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" and Raymond Carver's "Popular Mechanics" and in particular, looks at the ways in which both stories go against the modern love ideal.
From the Paper "The modern love ideal basically encompasses the concept of a voluntary union. It is a union between two people in which they share tenderness and protect each other from the harsh realities of the outside world. The modern love ideal is also ..."
