The Painful Truth of Feminism Essay Example
The Painful Truth of Feminism Essay Example

The Painful Truth of Feminism Essay Example

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  • Pages: 6 (1642 words)
  • Published: April 8, 2022
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Literature serves as a vital reflection of society, allowing us to see the concealed truths. Through this lens, writers can expose the societal ills that often go unspoken. Literature has the power to reveal hidden immorality, promote good behavior and moral values, but it can also be used to attack opponents and reinforce biased opinions. Unfortunately, literature has historically been used to perpetuate the subjugation of women based on societal and emotional biases.

The misuse of literature has led to feminist criticism, emphasizing its use as a tool for suppressing women. Scholars also employ imagery to undermine and blame women for societal failures. The example of Elisa Allen in "The Chrysanthemums" demonstrates the importance of applying a feminist perspective to combat female oppression. The battle for women's recognition has been long and difficult, but progress is evident today. Women have fa

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ced hardships in a male-dominated society, with the fight for equality often resulting in anguish. However, these efforts have paid off as women now hold significant positions. For instance, Hillary Clinton running for US presidency and Angela Merkel serving as Germany's president highlight the impact of the feminist movement on their achievements. "The Chrysanthemums" effectively portrays the struggle for women's place in society.

In this story, Steinbeck portrays Elisa Allen as a strong character. However, the society's male domination and undermining of women have diminished her morale, resulting in a depressive life. Elisa's sexual pleasure has been taken away from her, her speech reflects her frustration, and her actions demonstrate the neglect of females in a male-dominated society. The men hold all the power, leaving the women feeling minor and excluded. Therefore, feminist campaigns become crucial i

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order to rescue women. Feminism paves the way for self-admiration and self-respect, achievable when women are given equal opportunities as men. When women are provided with equal chances to advance in power, they gain a sense of acknowledgement.

Encouraging women's participation in societal and family development is vital for fostering their self-respect. When the pot-buyer encouraged Elisa, it inspired her to get ready for an outing, emphasizing the significance of feminism in empowering women. Women's empowerment has not only resulted in advancements in technology and other fields but also raised global self-awareness. Nevertheless, addressing the urgent issue of rising crimes against women has become crucial.

Society acknowledges the importance of reducing crime for societal improvement through feminism. As women's rights are advocated, individuals of both genders have stepped forward to support feminism after recognizing its benefits. The dissatisfaction is evident from the start of Elisa's story. Despite being in her thirties, she is portrayed as a large woman who resembles an elderly lady. She is depicted as a gardener, wearing dirty gloves, heavy boots, an old male hat, and a worn apron that hides her dress. This portrayal only amplifies the perception of male dominance. The house is also described as meticulously cleaned and polished, emphasizing male control.

Elisa grew tired and bored with her traditional duties and desired to explore the responsibilities traditionally assigned to men. This desire aligns with feminism's call for women's recognition and empowerment, leading to self-respect and self-love. Elisa believed that her traditional duties were not fulfilling enough and sought to fulfill her own potential.

By embracing the feministic perspective, life would have improved for the woman mentioned in the text, inspiring her to

take charge of her responsibilities. This shift in mindset would have helped women recognize their capabilities and create opportunities for personal success. However, in a male-dominated society, Elisa's ability to work in the garden, traditionally seen as a man's duty, is not valued. Her husband acknowledges the strength of the chrysanthemum crops she tends.

This male character brings her joy, but her husband swiftly interrupts by requesting her company for dinner. In response, Elisa complies with her traditional gender role. Meanwhile, even though Stella is performing tasks typically assigned to men, she is still perceived as less powerful because she lacks autonomy in decision-making. This viewpoint was reinforced by traditional literature, thus highlighting the significance of feminism and embracing the potential of femininity through the archetypal lens in order for society to progress.

This movement has played a significant role in fostering the development of women's intelligence, skills, and potential, contributing to global advancements in politics, society, and technology. Notably, many exceptional female scholars and scientists have emerged as a result of feminism. The movement arose from a lack of appreciation for women's contributions and the subsequent need to advocate for their recognition. The story exemplifies this through Elisa's initial refusal to sell the pots, displaying a traditionally masculine response.

The tinker failed to appreciate the women and win her over, while the buyer pretended and admired Stella's work, particularly her flowers. Stella, unaccustomed to such treatment, developed feelings for the buyer, who subsequently sold the pot. In a gesture of gratitude, she presented him with a gift of flowers which highlights her longing for love that was absent in her marriage. Thus, it is crucial to examine

this discrimination from a feminist standpoint. To compound matters, the tinker proved his hypocrisy by discarding the flower once he obtained the pot.

Stella experienced bitterness when she realized that both men and nature had betrayed her in her fight for equality. Despite her own emotional state, Stella recognized that men also undergo emotional turmoil. This realization led to an understanding of the significance of women uniting to achieve their aspirations. Elisa regained confidence in her sexuality and felt gratefulness after a period of discomfort. She took a bath to alleviate herself and then applied makeup. When her husband arrived, he complimented her appearance by stating she looked nice. However, Stella desired a stronger comment that reinforced her feminine role. Feminism played a pivotal role in nurturing healthier relationships based on freedom and equality. Men who date feminists tend to have more open relationships and experience greater fulfillment in their intimate lives.

This is not considered a surplus as marriage persists when it is entered into for mutual benefits. The fight for women's rights was not fought by a single man; women had to join together and form movements dedicated to their success. This was evident through Stella's experience while they were driving to town. Elisa saw the flowers the tinker had given her thrown on the side of the road. This greatly undermined her efforts to acquire masculine responsibilities and obtain her rights. She decided to return to the old woman she had chosen to leave, realizing that fighting alone would only make her a victim of male dominance and prejudice. This is why they needed to focus on feminism and the archetypal perspective in order

to liberate women. Feminism has also allowed those in relationships to enjoy sex. Stella lived a life similar to that of an elderly woman, deprived of her conjugal rights. In the story, she is described as being heavy and childless, which serves as an example of other forms of sexual dissatisfaction.

Thanks to feminism and archetypal campaigns, contraceptives have become easily accessible, allowing women to engage in sex without the fear of unplanned pregnancies which could disrupt their responsibilities. The empowerment of women through these feminist campaigns has led to significant changes, enabling them to express their emotions more freely. A concrete example is Stella's experience when she witnessed her flowers being discarded on the roadside; previously she would have felt deep distress but been unable to voice her feelings, silently enduring a sense of futility. This illustrates the importance of an archetypal campaign advocating for women's freedom of expression. Thanks to feminism, women can now openly communicate and no longer suffer in silence.

The discussion surrounding sexual harassment, rape, and menstruation has become more open, contributing to the empowerment of women and aiding in their personal growth. In the past, these subjects were seldom discussed; however, with the application of an archetypal lens, they are now openly addressed. The presence of close relationships and social cohesion is essential for the development of women. Unfortunately, Stella lacked these elements within her marriage. She never experienced a fulfilling sexual relationship or had children and felt disregarded by her husband. Due to their limited time together, she spent most of her days alone in the garden.

Feminist criticism has led to changes where men now allocate more time to their

families. Paternal leave provides fathers with the freedom to engage with their loved ones. The story exemplifies a woman's futile struggle against oppression. Frustrated by living in a male-dominated world, she eventually surrenders in her pursuit for liberation and returns to her previous duties.

This character represents the experiences encountered by numerous women who face obstacles and perceive minimal rewards for their efforts.

She served as a prime example of the defeat and ongoing oppression of women. Steinbeck's story clearly demonstrates how one woman's individual efforts to combat discrimination ultimately led to frustration. This highlighted the necessity for women to band together and raise their voices collectively. Consequently, much of the literature at the time was authored by men who perpetuated this oppression by portraying women as inferior in their writing. Recognizing this, feminist and archetypal movements emerged to critique and expose how women were undermined in literature. Thus, literature became a political instrument used to undermine female leaders.

The empowerment of women and the resulting changes are apparent. Women have recognized their potential and are no longer vulnerable to exploitation by men. The efforts against discrimination have played a substantial role in empowering women, enabling them to assume new roles. It is evident that feminist and archetypal campaigns have been instrumental in freeing women.

Work Cited

  1. http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic1220828.files/The%20Chysanthemums-Steinbeck.pdf
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