Gender in literature
1. Beloved
Tracey Morrison is instrumental in highlighting the perceptions of motherhood according to the African American context. The author focused on the topic since motherhood is the basis for the feminist theory. The author uses the perspectives and experiences of the black women regarding maternal role and identity. According to the view of the author, motherhood in this context is a profound act of resistance against the injustices, which they encounter in the society. The key injustices affecting the women include racism and sexism. Motherhood provides a platform for women to achieve well being in the society. Motherhood appears to empower women to seek a better existence in the society. This means that motherhood in the African American context is influenced by the harsh conditions, which the minority faces in the society. Motherhood offers a situation whereby the women are empowered to determine the wellbeing of their families and communities. This perspective is also evident in the book The Bean Trees where the characters Tailor and Lou Ann who use the role of motherhood to empower themselves in their respective situations.
2. The bean trees
Poets gain inspiration from the influences, which they encounter in life. The influence of these experiences is augmented when they are significant hence result in deep change, in the perspectives of the poet. This premise is evident in the sentiments of Carolyn Forche whereby her experience in El Salvador changed her perceptions. When considering the text by Forshe, it is apparent that the events, which influence the lives on an individual, affect their perspectives of life events. For instance, the assassination of Monsignor Romero influenced Forsche to change her naive view of the world. This change is depicted in the character of Barbara kingslover, in the poem the bean trees whereby a transformation is realized due to the life events. The character Tailor depicts such a similar situation whereby she encounters an event, which influences her view of life. Her quest to explore life results in taking care of a sexually molested child an event that overhauls her life. This event appears to alter the life of the character in the long term complimenting the sentiments of Forsche concerning life event and their influence on an individual’s life.
3. Their Eyes Are Watching God
The character Janie, in the work Eyes Were Watching God, she appears to seek the empowerment of women by disregarding the gender boundaries, which affected women in society. She strives to seek independence for herself in a male dominated society. She seeks her own sense of identity different from that given by the society. She discovers her identity as a strong proud woman whereby she is not impeded by the society due to her gender. She risks going against the societal norms defining the role of a woman. This is a bigger risk when compared to the character of Tailor who also seeks her self-identity. Despite both women seeking freedom and empowerment, Tailor does not contravene the societal norms. This shows that the character is more reserved when challenging the society concerning the role of women than Janie. These contrasts with the exploits of Janie who dares to defy the perceptions, which were impeding the empowerment of women by confining their roles to what is defined for the female gender in a male dominated society. She disregards the traditional expectations of being dependent on a male partner, but seeks to make her own destiny as an independent woman.
4. Orlando
The role of gender in the society is pronounced in the theme of the works Orlando. The protagonist who experiences a gender change depicts the different perceptions, which are present in the society concerning gender roles. When Orlando is exposed to the society, she begins to notice the different perceptions and role reserved for the female gender. This is as compared to her previous experience in the hills off turkey when this differentiation was not apparent. Her interaction with the society makes her act and feels different. The author uses this scenario to depict that the gender roles, which are evident in the society, are not a result of biological differences, but by societal influences. When the character takes up the male identity, it is noticeable that the mannerism of the character changes to conform to the roles defined for the males.
5. Empowerment
The theme of empowerment is evident in the books their eyes are watching God and the bean trees. These themes depict women who triumph over the shackles, which are present in the society for the female gender. The character Janie strives to identify her as independent and strong in a society where women had to be passive and conformists. She defies the traditional roles identified for women in the society by asserting her independence and determining her destiny. The character Lou Ann also appears to depict empowerment when she refuses to take back her husband who abandoned her and their child. The character took the responsibility and unshackled her from an unhappy marriage to pursue a more independent and fulfilling life.
