Gentle Lena I Find it Particularly Interesting

Gentle Lena

I find it particularly interesting to research the circumstances in which authors conduct their literary works. In conducting my critical review of Gertrude Stein's "The Gentle Lena," the circumstances prevailing during this period become immediate. In particular, the role of women in society becomes immediately apparent when reading this shirt story. When comparing the context of this work with the women's rights movement in recent memory, society has come very far in regards to equality. In this document, I will examine Gertrude Stein's "The Gentle Lena," in both a historical and social context. I will then examine how the prevailing sentiments of the time influenced many of the character interactions with the short story.

To begin, Lena's gentle and often submissive behavior was very typical of women during the early part of the 20th century. Women, during this period were considered inferior to men in many respects. They were expected to adhere and acquiesce to any request from their male counterparts. In hindsight, this thinking was obviously absurd and ill advised. However, given the circumstances prevailing in the early 20th century, it was effective for both the family and society in general.

During this period, the world was undergoing fundamental change. The industrial revolution was spreading its efficiencies around the world. Societies were becoming more productive. Transportation and travel were revolutionized with the advent of the locomotive and the automobile. These increased efficiencies generated economic growth that was unparalleled at any time in prior history. However, many of the new industries created by the industrial revolution required massive amounts of physical labor. The prevailing thoughts at the time were than men were best suited to conduct these tasks. Aspects such as manufacturing, farming, and construction all required extensive amounts of manual labor. These industries, in the early part of the 20th century, generated a vast amount of the economic growth. Therefore, many of the jobs within this era were centered on these industries. As such, men were required to work long, arduous hours in these growing fields of innovation.

Women, as a result were relegated to the home. They were expected, at the time, to cook, clean, bear children, and otherwise support their superior male counterpart. As they often did not work, society determined that they had little say so in the daily activities of the home. Society at the time reasoned that women don't make any money for the household, then they should not have any say in its running. As such, the characters in the short story "The Gentle Lena" mimiced these traits (Werner, 2008).

In the short story, Lena did not have an opinion of her own. Much like the women in society during this period, she was told what to think, where to work, and what do. This contrasts directly with the prevailing real world sentiments of society during that period. Women, in society weren't even allowed to vote during this period. The white males of society, through voting, determined the general course of the country and its citizens. This also occurred in the short story as Lena's life was being run by others. A direct quote from the short story reads, "Lena was so still and docile, she would never want to do things her own way."

Two other aspects worth mentioning in regards to social norms are those of Lena's lack of desire and monotonous life. Within the short story, much like women during the period, Lena experienced a lack of emotion. Women during this period were not entitled to their own opinions regarding aspects other than the household. They were expected to remain quiet and emotionless, much like Lena. Men during this period, "owned" their women. Women were seen simply as items. This concept corresponds directly with the short story overall. Lena, due to lack of desire was unaware of herself. A passage from the story reads, "Lena did not really know that she did not like her German life." She was aware of anything better than they life she currently had.