For this last post, I would like to conclude my discussion of Women's Literature by using Virginia Woolf's style of writing. This style of writing is one that is very jumpy, which quickly transitions between many different topics, and which resembles a train of thought. I believe that writing in this style will allow me to touch upon every subject, topic, theme, etc. that I have discussed throughout this semester. Let me start my creating a list of everything that I have talked about in this blog:
- Increase in female equality
- Domestic life
- The color red in women's literature
- Nature (innate behaviour vs. society)
- Prejudice
- Beauty
- Media and the industry
- The working world
- Beauty vs. intelligence
- Rape
- Identity, ignorance, clothing (Jasmine specific)
Now begins my train of thought:
It is amazing how much has improved throughout the year regarding female equality and equity. But, it is also amazing how little has change (especially in people's minds). Women, although statistics show that they are increasingly getting high-paid jobs, attending 'better' universities and becoming more free, they are not necessarily getting the respect and rights they deserve. However, I am extremely proud and happy with the positive change.
Regarding domestic life, like in Jury of Her Peers (1916), by Susan Glaspell, women are usually expected to be stay at home moms. Men constantly adopt a haughty behaviour which establishes an unfair and unwelcome supremacy. They don't realise that women are extremely bored and not used to their full capability. Well, not used in that manner, used as in useful. Where they feel like they have purpose, rather than being tossed aside.
Women's Literature is one that contains numerous references to the color red, especially in The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood. it symbolises an extensive library of things, including periods (a women-specific 'ritual', death, and love. Red itself is a very powerful color and is therefore used often to symbolise the powerful topics within Women's Literature.
Nature is also a very 'hot topic' sparking many debates and fights within Women's Literature. The idea that female inequality is natural or innate is very debatable. Dr. Umemoto has said in class said all ancient civilisations usually worshipped a Mother Goddess, and society is the cause that all religions and governments now are usually patriarchal. This change demonstrates what I believe: that inequality is completely societal, that it has been built rather than implied.
Prejudice is usually regarded as something that is only applied to different cultures (different countries, tribes, etc.) but it also applies to women. Woman are said that they can't drive, that they must be beautiful, that they aren't strong or not capable of men's tasks. These prejudices are common and terrible. They must be fought with full force! This is especially true because every woman are different, and even though an attack on women is bad, a generalisation of women is even worse.
The media and the industry are a great cause for female inequality. Although they directly don't harm them, they kill women internally. They constantly bombard us with advertisements and impossible ideals that rot away our finances and soul. It is so depressing to see so many people force depression and self hatred.
Women's Literature, and feminism in general fights a constant debate between beauty and intelligence. Women are often said that they can only be one or the other, that they can either be beautiful or intelligent. This is due to the fact that beautiful women don't have time to study, because they are constantly exercising or putting make up on. The same applies for the reverse because intelligent women don't have time to take care of themselves because they must study, research, etc.
An important aspect of feminism, is rape. As I discussed in my blog sequence, rape is a violation of women because it directly harms and controls the vagina, which is the major symbol for women (obviously because they are the only who has it). Rape is scarily prevalent yet very ignored. This is dangerous because victims become mute and the fight can therefore never be won. This is also supported and emphasise by the glorification of rape through images and videos that the media constantly throws right into our face!
Jasmine, a fantastic book about cultural clashes, really exemplifies and showcases the struggles that a woman faces as she completely changes cultures. It is so interesting to see that women fight many of the same issues worldwide and that yet, no global effort is being made to end cruelty to women. This novel also discusses in depth the issue that many people (not just women) have: multiple identities. It is so hard, especially for someone (like me!) who moves a lot to identify yourself as one person, or identify one place as your home.
In conclusion, (wow, a final conclusion), Women's Literature is something that is so often overlooked and ignored, yet really exemplifies a wealth of knowledge. I have learned so much throughout this course and looking back on just the number of topics that I have covered just throughout this post (Mrs. Dalloway-style), I realised how many different layers of feminism there are. Women fight so many battles that are not even acknowledged.
For the last time...
Goodbye, World.
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