Reading "The New England Nun" reminded me of this article I recently read about women becoming more successful in the workplace, and either waiting until late in life to get married, or forgoing marriage all together. This notion is seemingly out of the ordinary, but I thought about when Freeman wrote this piece and the idea of a woman being happy alone would have sounded downright insane. I think that is what gives this poem so much merit. It seems like every time we turn around there's a new self-help trend about becoming happy, and while they touch on personal happiness, it always ends with "how to find love" or "how to get the man of your dreams". While finding a significant other is perfectly acceptable and can be pretty awesome, the idea of a woman who without bitterness or anger, accepts who she is and finds no qualms with her future of singledom.
On the issue brought up today in class about the sexual undertones found within this short story, while they do completely make sense and sound like Freeman intended them to be read that way, I don't think it is fair to condemn Lousia for her "chained up dog". Everyone is different, and a lack of sexuality or a want to procreate doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with her that needs to be changed. It really just means that if it makes her happy, and isn't hurting anybody, she's good to go.
I think that reading something like this is really refreshing in the actions of the characters. Louisa, Joe and Lily all act with a sense of honor and subtly that is COMPLETELY different than what we see today. The whole time I was reading this scene, I just kept thinking about what if the Kardashians were experiencing this. There would have been hair pulling, profanity, and someone would probably check into rehab and overcome their issues with a new perfume line. I wonder if more sources of pop culture would lean towards this type of mannerly depth, would our society be a little bit more well adjusted?
I find it ridiculous that people will criticize Brett for being too sexual, but also criticize a character like Louisa for not being sexual enough. Seriously, is there some kind of line we should all fall on? I would say people in general should tend to lean toward the side of conservatism, but today it seems as if that view is no longer appreciated. It used to be that if you were having sex for any other reason than to procreate you were deviant. Now, you are weird or different if you aren't having sex. Seems like damned if you do, damned if you don't situation to me.
ReplyDeletei don't really think there will ever be a middle ground when it comes to a woman's sexuality. To some people a woman can be seen as an overly sexual being while too others she may be considered frigid. It's usually just a way for other women to look down their noses at another woman for being what they aren't.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I wonder if we would be questioning any of these suggested metaphors if they had to do with a male character's sexuality. Women really are damned in the topic of sex.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I believe that our society is either in too camps: a person is either a tramp, or an "ewww, virgin". This is not usually addressed in contemporary fiction (that I care to read anyway), and especially in teen fiction it DOES always end with "then I found the man of my dreams and we lived happily ever after". Is it so hard to accept that some people just want to be left alone? This is a double standard for both men and women I believe, and one that needs to be eradicated.
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely a double standard! If a man remains a bachelor it is not frowned upon. As a matter of fact, it is intriguing in a positive way and almost becomes a challenge for a woman to "get" him. A woman who chooses to remain single, on the other hand, is viewed as a spinster. It is assumed that if she is single it is because no man wants her. I applaud Louisa for for asserting her independence and getting rid of Joe and his dirty shoes!
ReplyDeleteHell, all you have to do to see the double standard is to look at word choice. A single man is a bachelor, elegible , or even footloose and fancy-free. If the guy is a known lothario, he can still be a Don Juan, a lady-killer, a player, or a stud. A woman is a spinster, an old maid, or, if she is sexual, a tramp or a slut. The double standard is ingrained in the very language.
ReplyDeleteI definately agree that there is a double standard. Like I have said before, it is much easier to be a man in this world than a woman. Women are viewed and judged so unfairly in many matters.
ReplyDeleteRyan is very happy to be a man today.
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