Football, Mead-Halls, and Bards: Perpetuated Gender Roles from Anglo-Saxon Literature

Type :

School essay

Pages :

2 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

12/12/2007

Category :

Philosophy & literature

Sub category :

Literature

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Summary :

Introdution
The Wife's Lament
The introduction to the story
The idea that women are to serve men's needs
The role of men in The Wanderer
Conclusion

Abstract

In modern times, men and women in America are divided by their stereotypical gender roles. Women are inferior to men; they are interested in domestic issues and should make the men in their lives happy. Men are chauvinists; they enjoy "nights with the guys" and feel a stronger dedication and sense of belonging toward things like sports teams and their work than they do toward individuals, especially women. The same types of stereotypical yearning can be found in the anglo-saxon pieces "The Wife's Lament" and "The Wanderer." In these stories, the main characters are clinging to their gender roles and are lamenting over loves lost, both sexual and platonic. In the case of "The Wife's Lament," the narrator is distraught over the loss of her husband and is patiently awaiting his return, and in "The Wanderer," the male main character feels lost without his leader and clan, and is yearning to feel a sense of belonging again. The gender roles displayed in both stores are still perpetuated in modern society, which is why even in the 21st century readers can still identify with the characters and their emotions.