Written in 1868, The Working-Girls of New York is extracted from the original essay, Folly As It Flies, by Fanny Fern. Notably, the setting of the essay is in the mid-nineteenth century New York when Industrial Revolution has struck the northern states of America.
The author illustrates women’s suffrage in living in this period whether or not they were married, rich or poor. Women with large income husband were left at home to keep the house when her husband was busy doing businesses outside. Rarely did he have time to care for his family. Whereas the poor working girls, they also had to live a hard life which were affected by Industrial Revolution. The author stresses the working and living condition of those working girls. They could hardly satisfy their basic needs. They had to share a small, dirty, stuffy room; they never had a properly cooked and nutritious food. In addition, their clothes were of low quality and torn. Talking about their workplace, it’s a ‘black-looking building’ where hundreds of working girls had to stand working in the assembly line from seven in the morning till six in the evening but received low wages compared to men. The machinery was deafening which a visitor to the factory would never be able to bear with more than five minutes.
The author sympathizes the young working girls who had to work like a machine. Although they were young in the age, they were almost like an adult in their look and their share of responsibilities in their family.
To conclude, the author intended to criticize the effects of Industrial Revolution had on the society, especially on women. This essay is to call for notice and reform to the prevalent issues happening in industrial workplace such as overcrowding, poor working conditions, sweatshops, child and women labor, and long working hours.
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
A Woman at Forty, From Woman in the Nineteenth Century, essay summary
‘A Woman at Forty’ is an excerpt taken from the Part III of the essay under the title ‘Woman in Nineteenth Century’ which was written by Margaret Fuller in November 1844 and published in 1845.
The author starts with the admiration of the accomplishment of ‘Female Authorship’ which has been constantly increasing; especially, women have been doing several things which they were previously supposed to be unable to. Many women had been gaining fame and recognition from the society and because of this many presumptions against women have been removed.
Girls were able to go to school to acquire knowledge as boys. However, the author believed that the education system was not good and appropriate enough to expose them to the new subject matters in the society. What the author thought is that they should be taught by those who ‘had experienced the same wants’, meaning who had the same experiences and understood what they really wanted. Although some women were given the position as the head of education institution, they still had problems in organizing a new system to respond to the needs and wants of general women. However, at least women were now educated which could broaden their views and take them out of the ‘home circle’. In addition, the author claimed that women had intellect which needs to be developed. Therefore, they should not stop after they had little recognition in this point of time.
After women had successfully struggled for right to education, people argued that women were educated so that they would become ‘better companions and mothers for men’. Fuller strongly opposed to this idea. Women should not study for the sake of others but themselves. The purpose of woman’s education is to develop their talents so that they are honored by the society. To be a better companion and mother for men simply means women still could not get out of the home circle.
Besides, the author had a sense of respect towards unmarried women who wanted to depend on themselves rather than on men although the society gave less value to them. Normally, a woman at forty is rarely able to remain their beauty when especially she has been devoted herself to household chores and her family. The author, however, still gave value to marriage, as she raised the idea that ‘We must have units before we can have union’. What is important is that there should be improvement of equality in the roles of the husband of wife.
The author starts with the admiration of the accomplishment of ‘Female Authorship’ which has been constantly increasing; especially, women have been doing several things which they were previously supposed to be unable to. Many women had been gaining fame and recognition from the society and because of this many presumptions against women have been removed.
Girls were able to go to school to acquire knowledge as boys. However, the author believed that the education system was not good and appropriate enough to expose them to the new subject matters in the society. What the author thought is that they should be taught by those who ‘had experienced the same wants’, meaning who had the same experiences and understood what they really wanted. Although some women were given the position as the head of education institution, they still had problems in organizing a new system to respond to the needs and wants of general women. However, at least women were now educated which could broaden their views and take them out of the ‘home circle’. In addition, the author claimed that women had intellect which needs to be developed. Therefore, they should not stop after they had little recognition in this point of time.
After women had successfully struggled for right to education, people argued that women were educated so that they would become ‘better companions and mothers for men’. Fuller strongly opposed to this idea. Women should not study for the sake of others but themselves. The purpose of woman’s education is to develop their talents so that they are honored by the society. To be a better companion and mother for men simply means women still could not get out of the home circle.
Besides, the author had a sense of respect towards unmarried women who wanted to depend on themselves rather than on men although the society gave less value to them. Normally, a woman at forty is rarely able to remain their beauty when especially she has been devoted herself to household chores and her family. The author, however, still gave value to marriage, as she raised the idea that ‘We must have units before we can have union’. What is important is that there should be improvement of equality in the roles of the husband of wife.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
On the Equality of Sexes, essay summary
This essay is an excerpt from an article ‘On the Equality of the Sexes’ published in Massachusetts Magazine in 1790. Judith Sargent Murray, the author, is a feminist writer who strived for the right and recognition of women from the society of her period.
Throughout the essay, the author compares woman’s and man’s ability in imagination, reason, memory, and judgment. She believed that women are surrendered to use their imagination. If fact, if they are allowed time to imagine, they are able to invent wonderful things and write good books. However, this ‘fertile brain of a female’ has been ‘despoiled’, that is, it has been damaged because of the society’s confinement. Women have been supposed to stick with ‘needle and kitchen’ which wastes the intelligent parts of women. Anyway, it’s said that women are lacking of the ability in reason. In fact, they are denied the opportunity to reason. Talking about the ability to memorize, the author prefers the idea that both sexes have equal ability. What is more, people, regardless of sex, by nature are equal in terms of every faculty, but what makes the difference is the after-birth’s education which is essentially influential on their abilities. Girls and boys are exposed to ‘contrary modes of education’; boys are taught to be ambitious and seek to attain goals; girls, on the other hand, are inculcated with domestic work. To sum up these ideas, the author takes the view that women’s and men’s minds are by nature equal but it’s custom that makes up the gap.
The author gave an example that if an uneducated girl marries an educated man, she will experience a feeling of ashamed and inferior which fills her with deep sadness. If, in another case, she marries an uneducated man the same to her, she will be even worse-off. Therefore, proper education for women is vitally important for the determination of their own fate and the formation of a happy family. With good education, they are able to make good judgments and choose a good partner for life. Also, there is a possibility that women will become an expert in what she learns. Besides, the author raised a question that 'Will the achievments of women take the place of their domestic works?' The answer was that women could do both things well if they are willing to.
So far, many females, as males, have used their powers of nature to win recognition and applause. There are many ‘robust masculine’ women and mentally weak men. Thus, women are persuaded to use their mind power as a kind of strength to be equal to man’s physical strength. Finally, the author appeals to the readers that we must struggle with the preoccupation of the society to gain the advantages stated above.
The author intends to make us, especially all women, regardless of space and time, beware of and revolutionize these discriminations for the sake of themselves and other women on the purpose of gaining recognition and respect. Personally, I totally agree with the author’s viewpoint that women should not be confined to domestic work; rather, they should be given chance to absorb knowledge from school and perform professional jobs. But what is important is the women themselves who must have ambitions and strong determination to tackle with the societal burdens for real equality.
This essay gives us, as a reader, the idea of equality of sexes. We learn about the lower value and role of women in the author’s time and that women were not given equal right and opportunity for education and work as men were. In this case, women were always inferior to men in terms of not only physical strength but also intelligence. We also realize that many women have been struggling with the social burdens so that women today receive rights and better opportunities for edcuation and jobs in the society. As a new generation, we should also continue to promote women's right and value so that men and women are equally treated.
Throughout the essay, the author compares woman’s and man’s ability in imagination, reason, memory, and judgment. She believed that women are surrendered to use their imagination. If fact, if they are allowed time to imagine, they are able to invent wonderful things and write good books. However, this ‘fertile brain of a female’ has been ‘despoiled’, that is, it has been damaged because of the society’s confinement. Women have been supposed to stick with ‘needle and kitchen’ which wastes the intelligent parts of women. Anyway, it’s said that women are lacking of the ability in reason. In fact, they are denied the opportunity to reason. Talking about the ability to memorize, the author prefers the idea that both sexes have equal ability. What is more, people, regardless of sex, by nature are equal in terms of every faculty, but what makes the difference is the after-birth’s education which is essentially influential on their abilities. Girls and boys are exposed to ‘contrary modes of education’; boys are taught to be ambitious and seek to attain goals; girls, on the other hand, are inculcated with domestic work. To sum up these ideas, the author takes the view that women’s and men’s minds are by nature equal but it’s custom that makes up the gap.
The author gave an example that if an uneducated girl marries an educated man, she will experience a feeling of ashamed and inferior which fills her with deep sadness. If, in another case, she marries an uneducated man the same to her, she will be even worse-off. Therefore, proper education for women is vitally important for the determination of their own fate and the formation of a happy family. With good education, they are able to make good judgments and choose a good partner for life. Also, there is a possibility that women will become an expert in what she learns. Besides, the author raised a question that 'Will the achievments of women take the place of their domestic works?' The answer was that women could do both things well if they are willing to.
So far, many females, as males, have used their powers of nature to win recognition and applause. There are many ‘robust masculine’ women and mentally weak men. Thus, women are persuaded to use their mind power as a kind of strength to be equal to man’s physical strength. Finally, the author appeals to the readers that we must struggle with the preoccupation of the society to gain the advantages stated above.
The author intends to make us, especially all women, regardless of space and time, beware of and revolutionize these discriminations for the sake of themselves and other women on the purpose of gaining recognition and respect. Personally, I totally agree with the author’s viewpoint that women should not be confined to domestic work; rather, they should be given chance to absorb knowledge from school and perform professional jobs. But what is important is the women themselves who must have ambitions and strong determination to tackle with the societal burdens for real equality.
This essay gives us, as a reader, the idea of equality of sexes. We learn about the lower value and role of women in the author’s time and that women were not given equal right and opportunity for education and work as men were. In this case, women were always inferior to men in terms of not only physical strength but also intelligence. We also realize that many women have been struggling with the social burdens so that women today receive rights and better opportunities for edcuation and jobs in the society. As a new generation, we should also continue to promote women's right and value so that men and women are equally treated.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
A Pair of Silk Stockings, story summary
‘A Pair of Silk Stockings’, written by Kate Chopin in 1896, is a five-page fiction about a mother, Mrs. Sommer, who has conflicts within her in how to spend the ‘unexpected 15 dollars’.
She is a thrifty housewife who will always spend time bargaining and consider for a long time before deciding to buy things below cost. For one or two days she has been thinking and doing calculations about what to buy for her children with this extra amount of money. It seems as if she is a caring, devoted mother who plans for the children rather than herself. This is what she has been doing since her husband is away (die?). However, she later indulges herself with beautiful things one after another. Everything starts with a pair of silk stockings, then she buys a pair of pointed-tipped boots to suit with the stockings, a pair of gloves, two high-priced magazines, and she has tea in a fashionable, expensive restaurant. Finally she watches a movie in the cinema. She spends all the 15 dollars in merely a day and it does not go into use for her children but herself.
Readers may feel that the character is an irresponsible and inconsiderate mother who doesn’t make use of the money to obtain necessary stuff for the family. However, if we examine her psychological condition when she is a widow and has been sacrificing for the family for a long time, she needs something to comfort herself. Unconsciously she allows extravagance to dominate her necessity.
She is a thrifty housewife who will always spend time bargaining and consider for a long time before deciding to buy things below cost. For one or two days she has been thinking and doing calculations about what to buy for her children with this extra amount of money. It seems as if she is a caring, devoted mother who plans for the children rather than herself. This is what she has been doing since her husband is away (die?). However, she later indulges herself with beautiful things one after another. Everything starts with a pair of silk stockings, then she buys a pair of pointed-tipped boots to suit with the stockings, a pair of gloves, two high-priced magazines, and she has tea in a fashionable, expensive restaurant. Finally she watches a movie in the cinema. She spends all the 15 dollars in merely a day and it does not go into use for her children but herself.
Readers may feel that the character is an irresponsible and inconsiderate mother who doesn’t make use of the money to obtain necessary stuff for the family. However, if we examine her psychological condition when she is a widow and has been sacrificing for the family for a long time, she needs something to comfort herself. Unconsciously she allows extravagance to dominate her necessity.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
A Male Magdalene, story summary
This is the fifth story I've learnt from the ENG229 in UC. What I manage to understand from the story is in the followings:
What does ‘Magdalene’ mean?According to Encarta Dictionary, ‘Magdalene’ or ‘Magdalen’ means a reformed prostitute, or in other words, a person who used to be a prostitute but now quit the job. Why does the author name this story ‘A Male Magdalene’? As far as I’m concerned, the author refers the ‘male magdalene’ to Nelt Chawgo who is such a fickle person who always treats women halfheartedly. This attitude is seemingly a characteristic of a prostitute. However, when he meets Angerose Wild and is abandoned later which changes him thoroughly. He soon understands the real meaning of love and finally deserves a happy ending. Thus, ‘A Male Magdalene’ simply means a man who admits his false concept and behavior toward love.
‘A Male Magdalene’ is a work of Marietta Holley written in 1906. The main characters are Nelson (Nelt) Chawgo, Angerose Wild, and Lophemia Kipp. The story starts with a wedding anniversary party of Nelt Chawgo and Angerose Wild. After that the narrator starts telling us the love relationship and experience of these three characters that happened three years ago.
Nelt Chawgo is a new comer to Jonesville and starts a business there. He is very welcomed and loved by the people, especially women, because of his good-looking appearance. Lophemia Kipp was attracted by his good look and forgets the relationship that she once has with Jim Carter who has been away on business. Nelt also ‘pays attention to her but in a half hearted way’. One day Nelt is found ‘ruined’ because he was abandoned by a woman from another village. The woman is called Angerose Wild who is a young, beautiful, and rich woman. The break-up of the relationship between Nelt and Angerose brings up debate of who should be responsible, that is, who is right and who is wrong. Disguised into the debating group, Angerous Wild heard of people discussing about her. During the discussion she suddenly comes up and admits her fault and finally promises to marry with Nelt Chawgo.
What we can learn from this story is that:
-We must be sincere to the person we love. Do not regard love as a game because human beings have feeling which can be easily suffered by deception and betrayal.
-We must admit our fault and be responsible for what we’ve done.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Yellow Wall-Paper, story summary
The Yellow Wall-Paper is an autographical story, written by Charlotte Perkins Stetson Gilman in 1892.
It is a story of a woman who was restricted in doing what she liked—writing books. The heroine fell into great depression after giving birth to her kid because she was not allowed to write anything but rest in the bed in the house which her husband, John, a practical physician, believed that lying on bed and doing nothing is the best treatment to her mental disease. The woman was trying to hide her husband and Jenny, John’s sister, from knowing that she was writing a diary. From time to time, she was trying to explain to him that she didn’t like the room she was staying at and proposed to move, but John never listened. Gradually, she’s discouraged from writing and started to spend time imagining and figuring out the patterns on the yellow wallpaper opposite of her bed. Her imagine became clearer and clearer and she could see a woman and later many women behind bars. This made her mental condition become worse because she could imagine but could not express it. Finally she became totally insane.
This story suggests that women should have the right to a profession they are interested in instead of being restricted to housework at home. The author also wants to tell us that treating someone physically well doesn’t mean care. Caring for a person means taking care of them both body and mind.
It is a story of a woman who was restricted in doing what she liked—writing books. The heroine fell into great depression after giving birth to her kid because she was not allowed to write anything but rest in the bed in the house which her husband, John, a practical physician, believed that lying on bed and doing nothing is the best treatment to her mental disease. The woman was trying to hide her husband and Jenny, John’s sister, from knowing that she was writing a diary. From time to time, she was trying to explain to him that she didn’t like the room she was staying at and proposed to move, but John never listened. Gradually, she’s discouraged from writing and started to spend time imagining and figuring out the patterns on the yellow wallpaper opposite of her bed. Her imagine became clearer and clearer and she could see a woman and later many women behind bars. This made her mental condition become worse because she could imagine but could not express it. Finally she became totally insane.
This story suggests that women should have the right to a profession they are interested in instead of being restricted to housework at home. The author also wants to tell us that treating someone physically well doesn’t mean care. Caring for a person means taking care of them both body and mind.
The Revolt of Mother, story summary
The Revolt of Mother was written by Mary Wilkins Freeman in 1891.
It is about the role of making decision in a family. Sarah Penn, the main character, was Adoniram’s wife who dared to do against her husband’s intention in turning the new barn into the family’s new house. Adoniram, the father of the family, was a hard-working farmer, but he cared much about his cattle and horses rather his own wife and children as we can see that he built big new barns and sheds one after another instead of a new house which he had promised Sarah forty years ago. Considering their current situation (the house was old; her daughter was going to get married soon), Sarah suddenly decided to move into the new barn when Adoniram was away to buy a horse in another town. What she acted raises some opinions over her, which held her to be insane and lawless. But she didn’t care of them because she believed that what she was doing was right and no one could change her mind. When Adoniram returned home and witnessed the change, he could hardly believe it but still finally accepted it.
In a patriarchal society in this story, women didn’t have right in making decision in a family. The author wrote this story so as to tell us to turn down this preoccupation. Family decisions should be made by having discussions between husband and wife who have to share equal roles for the development and prosperity of the family.
It is about the role of making decision in a family. Sarah Penn, the main character, was Adoniram’s wife who dared to do against her husband’s intention in turning the new barn into the family’s new house. Adoniram, the father of the family, was a hard-working farmer, but he cared much about his cattle and horses rather his own wife and children as we can see that he built big new barns and sheds one after another instead of a new house which he had promised Sarah forty years ago. Considering their current situation (the house was old; her daughter was going to get married soon), Sarah suddenly decided to move into the new barn when Adoniram was away to buy a horse in another town. What she acted raises some opinions over her, which held her to be insane and lawless. But she didn’t care of them because she believed that what she was doing was right and no one could change her mind. When Adoniram returned home and witnessed the change, he could hardly believe it but still finally accepted it.
In a patriarchal society in this story, women didn’t have right in making decision in a family. The author wrote this story so as to tell us to turn down this preoccupation. Family decisions should be made by having discussions between husband and wife who have to share equal roles for the development and prosperity of the family.
Tony's Wife, story summary
Tony’s Wife was written by Alice Ruth Moore Dunbar-Nelson in 1899.
This is a story which studies the discrimination of both gender role and racism. The main characters are Tony and his so-called wife. Tony was a violent, uncaring, irresponsible Italian man. Whereas his wife, who was a German, she was a very patient and responsible wife who does all the housework without any complaint even when she was beaten by Tony. Tony never admitted to anyone that the woman staying with him was his wife. After years of maltreatment in this unlawful marriage, Tony suddenly was infected by disease which could not be cured. Still, his wife took care of him for a few years until his disease was really worse. Before he died, she asked him to admit their relationship in front of a priest so that there would be something left to her. However, he unsympathetically refused her because of his discriminating thinking. Eventually after Tony’s death, his wife had to lead a penniless and sorrowful life.
From my point of view, the author wanted us to abandon and, at the same time, fight against the idea of discrimination of race and domestic violence.
This is a story which studies the discrimination of both gender role and racism. The main characters are Tony and his so-called wife. Tony was a violent, uncaring, irresponsible Italian man. Whereas his wife, who was a German, she was a very patient and responsible wife who does all the housework without any complaint even when she was beaten by Tony. Tony never admitted to anyone that the woman staying with him was his wife. After years of maltreatment in this unlawful marriage, Tony suddenly was infected by disease which could not be cured. Still, his wife took care of him for a few years until his disease was really worse. Before he died, she asked him to admit their relationship in front of a priest so that there would be something left to her. However, he unsympathetically refused her because of his discriminating thinking. Eventually after Tony’s death, his wife had to lead a penniless and sorrowful life.
From my point of view, the author wanted us to abandon and, at the same time, fight against the idea of discrimination of race and domestic violence.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tom’s Husband, a short summary
This is a short story that is recently studied....
‘Tom’s Husband’, written by Sarah Orne Jewett in 1884, is a short story of a couple, Tom and Mary, who make changes to the marital roles supposed by the society.
Tom and Mary both come from a business family whose fathers managed manufacturing factory. Tom has got a stepmother and a sister, Alice. He is not interested and has no talent in business; instead, he is good at managing the house which he spends most of his time doing before his marriage with Mary. Adversely, Mary is inborn with business talent. Before getting married, she was ‘always her father’s right-hand man’, meaning she was a good assistant of her father’s business. Doing business is her favorite and is what she can only do. Household chores are difficult stuff for her. However, they cannot do what they like after their marriage since the society demands that man earn money to support the family and woman do housekeeping. Both of them feel really uncomfortable with the new order of things.
Since his father’s death, Tom has stopped running the factory due to his inability and illness and has been thinking of selling it if a reasonable price is offered. One night, a mail from his sister in Japan arrived, suggesting restarting the mill so that she can get more money to support her husband. This is also agreed by his stepmother who and he are the executors of his father’s will. However, Tom feels pessimistic and discouraged. After long negotiation, Mary proposed to run the mill and is finally allowed even though Tom feels that people might laugh at them since the role is reversed.
Mary seeks help from experienced people such as Jack Towne and some old clerks who used to work for Tom’s father. At first, people do laugh at her; however, they soon have to respect her talent and success because she can learn things very fast and manage to earn some profit just at the end of the second year. Meanwhile, Tom also enjoys his quiet life at home and does his favorite things.
In the early days of her business life, Mary consulted important business matters with Tom who was also trying to show interest in business which he actually didn’t. Gradually, they seem to spend less time together than before because Mary is busy with her business rather than staying around with him. He started to hate doing housework and finally asked Mary to leave the mill for a while and have a six-month trip to Europe with him. Mary agreed understandably.
The story implies that women can also do what men can and even better. Also, a person’ talent should not be blocked by society’s restriction, stereotype, or preconception. We can never know whether we are able to do it or not if we don’t have a try. What is more, we should do what we think is right and is good for us but not we are supposed to do, and we should not be afraid of how people will look at us because they will soon realize that we have been doing the right thing.
‘Tom’s Husband’, written by Sarah Orne Jewett in 1884, is a short story of a couple, Tom and Mary, who make changes to the marital roles supposed by the society.
Tom and Mary both come from a business family whose fathers managed manufacturing factory. Tom has got a stepmother and a sister, Alice. He is not interested and has no talent in business; instead, he is good at managing the house which he spends most of his time doing before his marriage with Mary. Adversely, Mary is inborn with business talent. Before getting married, she was ‘always her father’s right-hand man’, meaning she was a good assistant of her father’s business. Doing business is her favorite and is what she can only do. Household chores are difficult stuff for her. However, they cannot do what they like after their marriage since the society demands that man earn money to support the family and woman do housekeeping. Both of them feel really uncomfortable with the new order of things.
Since his father’s death, Tom has stopped running the factory due to his inability and illness and has been thinking of selling it if a reasonable price is offered. One night, a mail from his sister in Japan arrived, suggesting restarting the mill so that she can get more money to support her husband. This is also agreed by his stepmother who and he are the executors of his father’s will. However, Tom feels pessimistic and discouraged. After long negotiation, Mary proposed to run the mill and is finally allowed even though Tom feels that people might laugh at them since the role is reversed.
Mary seeks help from experienced people such as Jack Towne and some old clerks who used to work for Tom’s father. At first, people do laugh at her; however, they soon have to respect her talent and success because she can learn things very fast and manage to earn some profit just at the end of the second year. Meanwhile, Tom also enjoys his quiet life at home and does his favorite things.
In the early days of her business life, Mary consulted important business matters with Tom who was also trying to show interest in business which he actually didn’t. Gradually, they seem to spend less time together than before because Mary is busy with her business rather than staying around with him. He started to hate doing housework and finally asked Mary to leave the mill for a while and have a six-month trip to Europe with him. Mary agreed understandably.
The story implies that women can also do what men can and even better. Also, a person’ talent should not be blocked by society’s restriction, stereotype, or preconception. We can never know whether we are able to do it or not if we don’t have a try. What is more, we should do what we think is right and is good for us but not we are supposed to do, and we should not be afraid of how people will look at us because they will soon realize that we have been doing the right thing.
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