May22012
With Mother’s Day coming up within a couple weeks, I wanted to bring up the topic of motherly love. We can experience Ekwefi’s distraught over her ogbanje curse and her 9 deceased children, so it’s easy to understand why she values her bond with Ezinma so much. They are extremely close, and actually act more like equals than they do like a mother and a daughter. We see that she is willing to disobey Chielo’s commands, and follows Ezinma regardless of the potential wrath of the gods. She knows that there might be consequences, but she vows to herself that she will rush into that cave if she hears Ezinma crying. She is willing to do anything for her child, and I think that sacrifice is admirable. We’ve see it in many other places (Hester in Scarlet Letter, Eva in Sula, etc.), and I think it is something we can identify with so much because it casts the mother in a positive (and yes, feminist) light—she is strong and brave, and willing to make dire sacrifices for her children if necessary. Even if we don’t classify ourselves as feminists, we tend to feel a sort of pride when we see a female character taking on such a strong role. Motherly love is something we really need to cherish, so make sure you reciprocate that love back to yo momma this Mother’s Day!
ALLIE
February262012
In the beginning of Act 4, Scene 1, when Prospero allows Ferdinand to marry Miranda, I can’t help but notice the language that objectifies Miranda. Prospero describes Miranda as “my gift” or “my rich gift.” Propsero also says, “she is thine own,” implying that Ferdinand now owns Miranda and this is the act of passing on that ownership. Within that conversation, Prospero and Ferdinand never mention her name. Instead, she is mentioned as “my daughter” and “my gift,” which emphasizes Miranda’s objectification.
-Gabby
January82012
“Hannah Simply refused to live without the attention of a man” (42 Morrison).
“those Peace women loved all men” (41 Morrison)
Both Hannah and Eva are very independent as shown in the book so far. But They love men as the book said all men. I find it strange and empowering how every man we have met so far in the novel does not really potray a good picture of men.
Helene’s husband= Always away
Shadrack= Crazy, does not hurt a fly
Soldiers= Despise Helene, look down upon her
BoyBoy= Runs out on Eva, womanizer, drinks, abuses Eva
Three Dewey= No personality, can not tell apart to most people
Tar Baby= Keeps to self, drinks alcohol
Plum= Drug addict
None of these men are very good role models, so that leaves the woman to be strong. How does this emphasize the feminine aspects of the book? Does it portray a man hating view?
-Sierra
December132011
Though Mr. Woodhouse is primarily concerned with Jane’s health when he utters this quote it does correlate to a task women face in today’s society, the chore of being beautiful. On average, it takes a woman 15 minutes to an hour and a half to get ready in the morning, meanwhile it takes a mere 20 seconds for a man to throw on a pair of trousers and a tie. We, as women, are expected to apply makeup, flawlessly shape our hair and wear chic, uncomfortable clothing, while it is acceptable for men to lounge around in sweatpants all day. The comparison of a young ladies to delicate plants makes the male position on the issue clear, like a beautiful flower a woman must remain stationary and appear gorgeous at all times. In my opinion, Mr. Woodhouse’s view of women is completely appropriate for the time period but if a man today described our gender as delicate flowers who “should take care of their health and their complexion” I would slap him for setting feminism back fifty years.
-Amy
