Gender Unit- Barbie Doll

"Barbie Doll"

By: Marge Piercy

In society, gender is constantly  classified and idealized. People are challenged to conform to social expectations and fulfill what is expected of them according to their gender. "Barbie Doll" by Marge Piercy analyzes this ideal quality by presenting the challenges women face in patriarchal society to conform to the expectations of them as women. 

The poem, divided into different sections, presents news ideas in each. For, in the first section, the traditional image of the barbie, the idea woman instilled in ideas of children as a toy, is presented. This stanza not only describes her looks, but also her actions and the way a woman is expected to be. Then, however, the real image of a living girl is presented with all of her flaws. The young girl, seen as having a big nose and fat legs, never measures up to the barbie doll expectations and gender role. In the final section, this pressure to conform leads to the an ultimate death. Ironically, this death leads people to describe the woman in the casket as beautiful although first seen as traditional and with flaws. While the irony of this statement hangs over the reader, I believe the statement serves an important role. For, through the ironic statement, the reader can infer that "To every woman a happy ending (836)," the narrator is not only referring to happiness, but the relief of not having to conform to social standings. I believe the death presented could serve as an metaphor for the escape of women from the patriarchal demands of conforming to freedom. 

Gender Unit- Poem Comparison

"To His Coy Mistress"                                       "To His Importunate Mistress"

By: Andrew Marvell                                             By: Peter De Vries              

As a satire, "To His Importunate Mistress" makes fun of and ridicules aspects of Andrew Marvell's writing and attempt to change the gender expectations. Marvell's poem, one of romance and love for a "coy" and shy mistress, is ridiculed and transformed into a poem about an "importunate" and int eruptive woman. In such a change, the two poems create drastically different meanings, but flow from a similar idea.

"This coyness, lady were no crime (Line 2)." The phrase by Andrew Marvell is used to reassure his mistress of his endless love for her even in her shyness and uncertainty. This phrase, however, is converted into completely different version with new meaning when a few words are changed by Peter De Vries in his satire. For, he states, "My coyness, lady, were a crime (Line 2)." While Marvell used the line to illustrate and establish the idea of endless love, De Vries uses it to suggest that distractions keep him from this love. Continuing within the satire, Marvell uses analogies of biblical and religious aspects as well as a garden and empire to illustrate his undying love. Yet, De Vries describes analogies such as marble and suite as love only to please himself. 

It is by these contrasts that the satire of De Vries is used to criticize the perfect love expressed in Marvel's poem. Through both poems, a connection to gender issues is made. While poem of De Vries satires Marvell's poem of explaining how men can take advantage of women, Marvell's poem stands strong against the ridicule to illustrate how men can be loyal and loving of their wives. Just as light contrasts with darkness, so does De Vries's poem as it satirizes Marvell's. 

Gender Unit- A Jury of Her Peers

"A Jury of Her Peers"

By: Susan Glaspell

Told from a third person omniscient point of view, "A Jury of Her Peers" presents a short story of gender roles and varying themes. The omniscient point of view, due to its ability to present such themes, becomes crucially important to the presentation of the story. For, because of the style, the narrator tells the story by focusing on one character, mostly Mrs. Martha Hale, to present the views of that character while knowing everything about many of the other characters.

In the short story, the narrator's ability to see and discover the intentions of the other characters from the view of an omniscient overseer is valuable in determining and understanding the complexity of the story. For, from this view the reader is able to see the theme of gender roles. Looking from both the male and the female perspective, the narrator presents the idea that men see the job of women as simply performing house chores while women view it as more complex and challenging. From the view of Mrs. Hale, another theme arises. That theme is the idea of "Things begun-and not finished (416)." This is a constant challenge for Mrs. Hale as she struggles with seeing things unfinished and unclean. In response to this idea, another theme is addressed. The theme of "A person gets discouraged and loses heart (417)," suggests a reason why such tasks at times go undone. For, without heart one is unable to complete the task and thus is unable to fulfill their gender role. 

Gender Unit- Hunters in the Snow

"Hunters in the Snow"

By: Tobias Wolff

Judged, uncertain, and afraid. Such qualities are those that define the protagonist, Tub. For, Tub is a man easily effected by others and not always seen for who he truly is. Although a man of large size, he expresses and is characterized by the emotional qualities often associated with females. In the short story, "Hunters in the Snow" Tub's qualities slow him down, make him feel vulnerable, and eventually lead to the path taken by the characters. 

Tub's focus on emotions and feelings is not only what leads him to shoot Kenny, but also what distracts Frank and Tub from taking Kenny directly to the hospital. Rather than rushing straight there, the "friends" forget about their injured acquaintance to discuss and reconnect over each other's problems. Thus, the short stories central focus is not Kenny's health, but the path they took. This path is directed by the protagonists' actions which leads the characters down a different path than initially believed. Yet, this shift in direction was suggested by the uncertainty foreshadowed in Frank's secret of the babysitter which appears sporadically throughout the tale. Due to this foreshadowing, it is not a surprise when the short story ends with the phrase, "They had taken a different turn a long way back (Page 201)." For, as seen in the characters' own lives, none of the men had taken the same path, but rather had turned long before they themselves even realized it. 

Do to the uncertainty of the character's own paths, the path's of the three men is left uncertain except for the reference to path of the north star. This hint, left to the readings of astrology and the symbolism of the north star as the sailor's help, suggests that the path they took and the journey they are on is not to the hospital. Rather, it is in the reference to the sailor's help that I believe Kenny is sailing into the path of death.. 

Othello-Act 5

"Othello" 

By: William Shakespeare

"Of one not jealous  but, being wrought, perplexed in the extreme; of one whose hand, like  the base Indian, threw a pearl away richer than all his tribe (V.ii.345-346)." This simile and connection of an Indian throwing away richness for the richness of his tribe is a beautiful representation of the message presented in the book. 

Rather than taking richness of an individual, one should look for the honesty and truth of their way. In reading this simile, I was reminded of the short story, "The Pearl." The central message of this short book was that richness does not always satisfy one's needs, but rather, can remove one from those closest to them. Similarly, richness does not buy Roderigo Desdemona's love. Richness in cunning ways does not buy Iago happiness in life. Richness of knowing the complete truth of Desdemona's love keeps him from understanding her absolute loyalty. Thus, richness does not measure or compare to that of one's tribe. As a result of each character's rich quality or aspect, they become blinded by reality and the cunning scheme which has turned them all against each other. In the end, this blindness leads to the death of Roderigo, Desdemona, Emilia, and Othello. 

Othello- Act 5

"Othello" 

By: William Shakespeare

Characterization, throughout Shakespeare's writings, often begins on the very first page. Thus, from the very beginning, one has seen the qualities of the central characters and watched as they change and transform. One such dynamic character, a character that changes in an important way, is Emilia.

In the beginning of the play, Emilia is seen as a loyal wife. She defends her husband, willingly doing what he wishes. Upon first seeing Desdemona's handkerchief, rather than returning it to Desdemona, she gives it to her husband, knowing that was a position he has longed for. In this last act, however, her loyalty shifts. She knows that she should obey Iago, but consciously chooses not to. For example, she states, "'Tis proper I obey him, but not now. Perchance, Iago, I will ne'er go home (V.ii.195-196).'" In this line, upon understanding that Iago was the cause.  Everything that once was clear and light, now becomes dark and the darkness bright. 

Othello- Act 4

"Othello" 

By: William Shakespeare

Foreshadowing. One of the most prevalent and common techniques used throughout Shakespearean writing.  A technique that involves the reader, directs their thoughts, and suggests possibilities. A writing style that takes careful planning which allows the story to develop realistically and aiding in the reader's connection to the piece. 

"'Let nobody blame him, his scorn I approve- (IV.iii.50)'" Throughout Shakespeare's writing, foreshadowing is used to allow the most involved reader to look analytically at the writing while those less focused to simply ride along until the end. As Desdemona sings the line above, she unknowingly suggests that she will not blame Othello for the accusations he makes towards her. Despite the cruelty such comments will lead to, her love is stronger and she will see his true character behind his own blind confusion. The phrase suggests that despite Othello's own lack of trust, she trusts in him and in his love. She knows that something is wrong that has caused him to not see her love or even his own, but yet she does not turn away from him, but rather sings of always staying true to him. She sings of being loyal unto the end. The end led to by death. 

  

Othello - Act 4

"Othello"

By: William Shakespeare

"If that the earth could team with a woman's tears, each drop she falls would prove a crocodile (IV.i.229-230)." This allusion, a reference common among Shakespeare's writings and prevalent throughout historic anecdotes, establishes a deep imagery and meaning.  According to the myth, alligators cry when eating their pray. This, however, has been proven wrong as alligators lack the ability to cry. In connection to Shakespeare's reference, Othello is begging Desdemona not to shed tears as she eats her pray, or, breaks Othello's heart. Othello sees Desdemona's tears as fake and insensitive just as an alligator's are fake and nonexistent  Yet, her tears are true and meaningful. Thus, the allusion to a crocodile's tears becomes ironic in that all though crocodiles can not shed tears, Desdemona sheds those representing her heart. She sheds her sadness as her marital relationship falls apart from missing trust and lack of  understanding. She sheds her forgiveness as she does not blame her husband, but accepts his accusations knowing they are false. Through the use of the allusion to crocodile tears, Shakespeare establishes meaning of greater depth and value throughout his works. As a common reference thus appearing in "Henry VI" and "Antony and Cleopatra", crocodile tears come to show true character in his masterpieces and works. 

Othello- Act 3

"Othello" 

By: William Shakespeare

"Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons (III. iii. 327)." The simile presented by Iago suggests the complex idea that ideas in themselves can be harmful and deceiving  In Act III, the central focus is on the symbolism of the handkerchief.

To each person, the handkerchief represents and means something unique and different. To Othelo, the handkerchief represents the idea of dedication as it was his first gift to Desdemona. Yet, just as ideas can be poisonous, the handkerchief comes to represent Desdemona's unloyalness to him as it is the handkerchief that serves as concrete evidence of her affair. For Desdemona, the handkerchief is a symbol of love and union as it is a piece of Othello which she can physically hold on to. Iago sees the handkerchief as a symbol of power and control as it is the handkerchief which allows and grants him full manipulation over Othello and his relationship to Cassio. For Cassio, the handkerchief represents a beautiful mystery as he is uncertain of where it came from, but appreciates it for its loveliness. Emilia sees the handkerchief as a symbol of duty and pleasure as it is what pleases her own husband, Iago. Finally, Bianca, the person who has the handkerchief at the end of the act, sees it as a symbol of uncertainty and of the unkown. Although different, the ideas all represent the same object. Yet, it is theses ideas which seperate the characters, thus poisoning their relationships. 

Othello- Act 2

"Othello"

By: William Shakespeare

"You rise to play, and go to bed to work (II.i.115)." A prevalent theme and focus of Act II is the theme of roles of men and women in marriage. Through Iago's statements and analysis of different types of women, Iago establishes the theme of the role of women. Biased to his own belief, Iago strongly argues that women manipulate women.
Unlike Cassio who respectfully, charmingly, and properly approaches women, Iago bluntly and critically approaches Emilia and Desdemona. With the harsh truth, Iago critiques all different types of women. Of the smart and beautiful, he says the good looks and cunning knowledge wins all guys. Of the smart and ugly, he states that intelligence allows the woman to find a guy as ugly as her. In other words, the ugliness of the guy will make her appear more attractive when standing together. Of the dumb and beautiful, he states that the woman's stupidity will only make her more attractive. Finally, of the dumb and ugly, he says, will use the same tricks as the others to win a guy. Thus, Iago implies that woman, in their own deceiving ways, control men. He suggests that this power is not true to the woman's duty which solely surrounds the purpose of being  a housewife and mother.

Othello-Act 1

"Othello" 

By: William Shakespeare

"Our bodies are gardens to which our wills are gardens (I. iii. 314-325)." Shakespeare's language is intrinsically beautiful for its imagery and complexity. Just as in this phrase, the philosophical idea that the body is the garden and the will, the gardener. In other words, it is our own desires and thoughts which guide our body. Like a garden, who we are is constantly growing and changing according to our own will. Continued on, the analogy, through the language of the Shakespearean time, establishes  the thought that lust is simply an emotion of the will, but which can be directed away from the body as a gardener pulls out weeds. Additionally, the analogy suggests the deeper thought that the will is necessary to care for the body, but that the will is what determines the body's true success. 

This passage between Roderigo and Iago continues characterization as Iago's speech establishes distinguishing qualities.  In speaking with Roderigo, the reader may be inclined to notice that Iago uses prose while when speaking to Othello  Brabantio, or the Duke, Iago uses Iambic Pentameter. Through further analysis, one could infer that the use of prose is to represent speech with the less educated while iambic pentameter is used among the educated. 

Othello- Act 1

"Othello" 

By: William Shakespeare

Beginning in the middle of the action, the reader of "Othello, The Moor of Venice" is immediately introduced to characters. As the story plot unfolds, the true qualities of these characters are revealed by the dialogue and language of the other characters. This form of characterization is crucial both unto the tale of the story itself as well as the understanding of the characters and their motives. 

"I saw Othello's visage in his mind, And to his honors and his valiant parts Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate (I.ii.249-251)." With the unfolding of the tale, both that of the novel and the tale of Desdemona's love, Othello, the protagonist, is characterized as true, brave, and most importantly, honorable. These qualities continue to be emphasized by the Duke and others as Othello handles matters admirably in doing what is proper. The foil of the great Othello is the horrible Iago. Cunning and deceiving,  Iago characterizes himself through his soliloquies which reveal his plot and true demeanor. Desdemona, the wife of Othello, becomes a crucial character as she becomes the subject of conflict within Act I. She serves as the object of several men's desires yet stands independent by her own beliefs. One such suitor of Desdemona is Roderigo.  Iago characterizes Roderigo by revealing his susceptibility to trickery and blinding love. 

Throughout the novel,  the characters are revealed as having very distinct qualities which are emphasized by the language in details others reveal. These distinct qualities keep the characters separate  but all serve as a crucial piece in the puzzle. With different qualities or shapes, they fit together to form the picture.