-
Essay / Gender Inequalities in Literature - 1190
Gender equality, with men and women having the same rights and obligations, and everyone having the same opportunities in society, is a topic of discussion for both men and women for centuries (Dorious and Firebaugh). For many centuries, women have used literature as a voice to defend their rights as women. Female authors achieved extraordinary success in literature, operating in a culture that disapproved of female literary desire, but where men still dominated the profession (Dorious and Firebaugh). Until the 19th century, it was common for writers, both men and women, to publish under a pseudonym. Fiction was a genre frequently published anonymously. Fiction was considered a weak literary genre, which led many authors to detach their name from the work of fiction. For women in particular, the cover of anonymity was particularly essential (Dorious and Firebaugh). Feminine proclamation and self-disclosure were considered unfeminine. Therefore, writing under a man's name would protect a woman from criticism for her unladylike thoughts. The male pseudonym could potentially increase a woman's chances of receiving an unbiased evaluation. Throughout history, women have had a weak voice in the literary world due to fear of the power they held and lack of respect for female authors. The first women's rights convention was organized by 68 women and 32 men in 1848. As a result, a document called "The Declaration of Sentiments" was created, fighting for the quality of women (Zink-Sawyer). Based on the format of the "Declaration of Independence", Elizabeth Cady Stanton created a document whose main objective is to guarantee equal rights for women and how these women could obtain these rights. The Declaration of 1848...... middle of paper ......1848). Print.George Eliot: Biographical Papers. August 1, 2013. the web. February 9, 2014. Hadjiafxendi, Kyriaki. “Gender and the woman question”. Harris, Marguerite. George Eliot in context. United Kingdom: MPG Books Group, 2013. 137-144. Print.Rowlings, JK The not particularly fascinating life so far of JK Rowling. February 16, 2007. Web. February 8, 2014. Stanton, Elizabeth Cady. “Declaration of Feelings and Resolutions.” VanEsveld Adams, Kimberly. “Feminine divinity, feminist symbol: The Madonna in George Eliot, Ludwig Feuerbach, Anna Jameson and Margaret Fuller. Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion, Vol. 12, no. 1 (1996): 41-70. Web.Zink-Sawyer, Beverly A. "From Preachers to Suffragettes: Enlisting the Pulpit in the Early Women's Rights Movement." Atq 14.3 (2000): 193. Academic Research Premier. Internet.