Verified Document

Role Of Woman In Society Research Paper

She is the engine which drives the family. Her attitude influences the one of the others. Being aware of this she succeeds to control the manifestation of her emotions. Another proof of her wisdom is the fact that she does not want to impose herself in all the circumstances. She lets Pa manifest himself, although she makes it clear for everybody that she has a strong authority as well. She is aware of her own condition.

Another woman whom Steinbeck uses in order to communicate the new dynamics of the men-women relationships is Rose of Sharon. One of the most famous scenes in the book is the one in which she feeds the man, helping him to survive. Her role is fundamental. She is the strong one, the provider. The man on the other hand is weak and dependent. The symbolism is very strong. "The fact that Rose gave birth to a dead baby symbolizes the fact that they remain trapped in the present, with no real hope for the future. Perhaps the fact hat she does not have a child in the end is a hint regarding the drop of the birth rate in the U.S.A. during the great depression." (Power of Women in the Grapes of Wrath)

Reading between the lines we understand that the status of the woman is no longer defined through the condition of motherhood. The woman appears as a supporter for the man who has become the weak part. Her kindness and generosity underline the fact that the women stood by their men, supported them and sacrificed themselves in order to assure the happiness of their family. This demonstrates their strength and character.

The manner in which the author presents the roles of men and women is very complex. Women are the ones to finish what men started. Men often show themselves weak, while the women, despite various instances of frailty, demonstrate that they are strong. Ma often takes decisions that would normally be taken by Pa. Ma is a mother and a wife, but also a leader.

It can be stated that she shows the manner in which women surpassed their condition...

It is interesting to notice that she is not trying to undermine the authority of her husband, although he feels like that might be happening. The threat with the stick is an occasion for Ma to speak her mind. She is not afraid to express herself even under the circumstances in which she knows it might hurt the other's feelings if she is aware of the fact that she is doing the right thing.
All in all it can be stated that the book under analysis is a clear proof that things in society were changing. The novel shows a lot of social changes which occurred during the great depression. One of these changes refers to the shift in power in the woman's status. The role of the woman changes from the one of housewife and mother, to the one of leader and provider. The men are weaker and depend upon the women in order to survive. Steinbeck therefore demonstrates how women have become indispensable, taking over all the responsibilities which belonged exclusively to men before the great depression.

Bibliography:

Baillargeon, D. (translator Klein, Y.) "Making do: women, family and home in Montreal during the Great Depression." Google Books. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=-x65yYBTDTIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=women+great+depression&hl=it&cd=2#v=onepage&q&f=false

"Gender roles and sexual relations, impact of the great depression." http://www.novelguide.com/a/discover/egd_01/egd_01_00217.html

"Power of Women in the Grapes of Wrath." ***.com. 01 May 2010

.

Scharf, L. "To work and to wed: female employment, feminism and the great depression (Contributions in women's studies)." Greenwood Press Paperback. 1985

"The grapes of wrath." Readers guide. 01 May 2010 http://readers.penguin.co.uk/nf/Document/DocumentDisplay/0,,P000100000031,00.html

"The great depression." 01 May 2010

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/snprelief1.htm

Sources used in this document:
Bibliography:

Baillargeon, D. (translator Klein, Y.) "Making do: women, family and home in Montreal during the Great Depression." Google Books. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=-x65yYBTDTIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=women+great+depression&hl=it&cd=2#v=onepage&q&f=false

"Gender roles and sexual relations, impact of the great depression." http://www.novelguide.com/a/discover/egd_01/egd_01_00217.html

"Power of Women in the Grapes of Wrath." ***.com. 01 May 2010

.
"The grapes of wrath." Readers guide. 01 May 2010 http://readers.penguin.co.uk/nf/Document/DocumentDisplay/0,,P000100000031,00.html
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/snprelief1.htm
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Women's Social Role in Society Gender, As
Words: 1090 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Women's Social Role In Society Gender, as opposed to the physical classification of sex, has always been based upon societal construct. The current psychology of the masses dictates what proper or improper behavior for the given genders is. This has always been the way of things. In the 1900s in the United States of America, a woman's place was in the home. She was supposed to be the Angel in the

Women's Role Women Have Always
Words: 3027 Length: 7 Document Type: Term Paper

Islamic women are now restricted from most activities, and their rights have been steadily decreasing. Her social and political as well as economic rights are all being violated everyday by unscrupulous men who have corrupted the very religion to their own advantage, and today, especially in most Arab countries, woman has become 'Awarah', or the very subject of concealment, wherein her public presence is banned; where even her very

Medieval Woman: Her Role in Society
Words: 1133 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Women: Luther and the Medieval Roman Catholic Church The medieval view of women and the woman's role was essentially informed by a centuries-long, Christian informed tradition, upheld by patriarchal society. Thus, that there should exist a vast discrepancy between the views of Luther and the views of the medieval Roman Catholic Church regarding women is to perhaps wish too much. Modern feminism may be, to some extent, found in the

Women's Roles in New England During Colonial America 1700-1780
Words: 1932 Length: 6 Document Type: Research Paper

Women's Roles In New England During Colonial America Today, women still have not seen an acceptable level of equality compared to their male counterparts. Yet, the struggle for women's rights have improved conditions for modern women tremendously when compared to the roles that the sex was limited to play during the colonial period. In Colonial America, women were often limited to purely caretakers, dealing only with domestic and child raising matters.

Women and Men Are Made Not Born Debate This Statement
Words: 1609 Length: 5 Document Type: Research Paper

Women and men are made, not born. Debate this statement Women and Men Are Made, Not Born The statement that - "women and men are made, not born" - invokes the notion that, it is not by birth that one acquires their gender but rather by the process of socialization. This brings into perspective the need to understand what gender is and whether, biological determination of gender at birth is sufficient. This

Women's History Questions in the
Words: 1670 Length: 5 Document Type: Research Paper

Question #11 This picture displays the many steps involved in a man's drinking and his addiction to alcohol. It begins with a friendly drink but ends up with alcohol destroying the family. The image of a woman and her child leaving a ruined home reinforced the idea that alcohol destroyed homes. Women were particularly interested in the Temperance Movement because they felt that the destruction of their families was being caused

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now