Development of Women

Development of women

Back in the nineteenth century women where treated as objects rather than human beings. They were expected to act a certain way, talk a certain way, think a certain way and live a certain way. Writers in the nineteenth century had a way of portraying women of that time period. In the “The Revolt of �Mother,’” Freeman evaluated gender roles and the reversal of such roles. In “The Yellow Wallpaper,” Gilman evaluated female imprisonment and subordination and how it can destroy a persons sanity. Today, women are independent, strong, passionate human beings. This essay will illustrate how women have evolved from the roles portrayed in “The Revolt of �Mother’” and “The Yellow Wallpaper” and developed into this new �breed’ by explaining how the expectations of women and their roles in American Culture today have changed drastically over time.

In the nineteenth century a woman’s job was to clean, cook and care for the children. It was unheard of for a wife to do something against their husband’s command or wishes. In “The Revolt of �Mother’”, Sarah was upset that a barn was being built on the spot where her husband had promised her forty years ago that he would build a house. Out of frustration, she moved her family and all their belongings to the new barn while her husband was away. The theme presented in this story was the distinction and reversal of traditional gender roles, as Sarah took a more dominant role in taking control of the situation. In the beginning, it was clear that Sarah’s role was no different from any other women’s of her time, but when placed in a difficult situation, a change in her traditional role evolved. Her husband did what he himself wanted, and disregarded any requests or questions his wife may have had, as demonstrated in the following conversation.

“"I want to know what you're buildin' that new barn for, father?"

"I 'ain't got nothin' to say about it."

"It can't be you think you need another barn?"

“I tell ye I 'ain't got nothin' to say about it, mother; an' I ain't goin' to say nothin'."

"Be you goin' to buy more cows?"

Adoniram did not reply; he shut his mouth tight.”(365).

Clearly he does not respect her enough to give an explanation, nor does he care enough to do so. Rather, he just shut his mouth and continued doing what he had planned. The husband speaks to her as if she were a child. In fact, in this time period, men looked at women as inferior to them, and were seen as being �immature’ and �childish.’ American culture has changed in the way women are viewed and the way they live their lives. Today, women rights equal to those of men, which are for the most part respected. Also, today, opposed to the nineteenth century, women are now able to supply for themselves and hold full time jobs, and are viewed as equals of men. In “The Revolt of �Mother’”, Sarah took that much needed step out of the traditional role of house wife and into that strong, determined women that she needed to be in order to help her family.

The old man's shoulders heaved: he was weeping.

"Why, don't do so, father," said Sarah.

"I'll -- put up the -- partitions, an' -- everything you -- want, mother."

Sarah put her apron up to her face; she was overcome by her own triumph.

Adoniram was like a fortress, whose walls had no active resistance, and went down the instant the right besieging tools were used. "Why, mother," he said, hoarsely, "I hadn't no idee you was so set on't as all this comes to." (373).

Adoniram was so deaf to Sarah’s needs, that he did not understand the significance of her request. Because of this, the ending of the story is rather ironic, as the dominant husband ends up �weeping’ and behaving like the stereotypical wife of the time, while Sarah, the woman, ends up over powering him and succeeding in her goal to possess the house that she has been waiting forty years to have. The switching of the traditional nineteenth century roles in this story that makes it ironic, is much like today’s culture. It is now acceptable for men to show emotion and it is not unlikely for a women to control