Feral women: Female characters in Wuthering Heights, The Moonstone, and Hard Times

Type :

Presentation

Pages :

10 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

09/25/2008

Category :

Philosophy & literature

Sub category :

Literature

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Summary :

The trapped heroines: Catherine and Louisa.
The exiles: Sissy and Rosanna.
The public servants: Nelly and Rachael.
The scapegoats: Isabella and Rachel.
Conclusion.

Abstract

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, women had no place within the pages of fiction. Indeed, men were usually the sole creators of literature; women, on the other hand, were silent (those few women who did choose to write were often forced to use a male pseudonym in order to be taken seriously). Oppressed and restricted, females -- in reality as well as literature -- were unable to find themselves due to the limited options given to them. Although many writers attempted to portray female characters, the women's roles were usually insignificant and unrealistic. Furthermore, until the mid-twentieth century, the women in most literature were quiet, weak, and dependent upon others in order to survive. However, several writers were able to accurately portray the plight of women during the time of their writing. Emily Bronte, Wilkie Collins, and Charles Dickens are three significant authors who managed to overcome the preconceived stereotypes of women. Indeed, several of the female characters in wuthering heights, The moonstone, and hard times prove to be strong, resilient women. Yet despite these qualities, the female characters are nevertheless trapped in a world that does not respect them; therefore, they often succumb to the pressures of society.