Kate Chopins The Awakening Essay -- Chopin Awakening Essays

During the late nineteenth century, the time of protagonist Edna Pontellier, a woman's place in society was confined to worshipping her children and submitting to her husband. Kate Chopin's novel, The Awakening, encompasses the frustrations and the triumphs in a woman's life as she attempts to cope with these strict cultural demands. Defying the stereotype of a "mother-woman," Edna battles the pressures of 1899 that command her to be a subdued and devoted housewife. Although Edna's ultimate suicide is a waste of her struggles against an oppressive society, The Awakening supports and encourages feminism as a way for women to obtain sexual freedom, financial independence, and individual identity. Feminism is commonly thought of as a tool for educating society on the rights of women. It teaches that a woman is equal to a man in every civil and societal accord. Realizing this is not always the case, Charlotte Bunch, a noted lesbian feminist of the 1970s also defined feminism as "a way of looking at the world - a questioning of power [and] domination issues" (WIE). Many feminists attempt to bulrush the ideals of stereotypical women and push them away from those who believe in these standards. "Feminist scholars also seek to question and transform androcentric [sic] systems of thought which position the male as the norm," says Barbara McManus. They strive to find, examine, and eliminate biases in a world encumbered with intolerant men who see women as thoughtless objects and most certainly not equals. Other women announce their impressive intellect, economic well-being, and individual personalities to the people who oppose them. "A woman should always present herself and explain her forthcoming jaunts into Feminists, like Edna, howe... ...Barbara F. "Characteristics of a Feminist Approach." December 8, 2001. http://www.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/femcharacteristics.html. Showalter, Elaine. The Female Malady: Women, Madness, and English Culture, 1830-1980. New York, NY: Pantheon Books, November 1985. Ward, Jennifer A. "Deconstruction or Feminist Critique?" December 9, 2001. http://www.geocities.com/athens/acropolis.6998/chopin2.html. Wear, Delese and Nixon, Lois LaCivita. Literary Anatomies: Women's Bodies and Health in Literature. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1994. Women's Information Exchange. "Feminism Defined." December 7, 2001. http://electrapages.com/FEMINIST.htm Wood, Ann Douglas. "'The Fashionable Diseases': Women's Complaints and Their Treatment in Nineteenth-Century America." Women and Health in America. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press, Ltd., 1984.

Queen Elizabeth II Christmas Message: A Parody

Christmas is a time to be cherished by all those who celebrate, a time in which the spirit of community and family is at its pinnacle, a time in which every shop in existence goes on sale. Decorating one's castle, gifting one's servants, and tinselling one's corgis are but a few of the customs which contribute to such a jubilant atmosphere†¦ The ungrateful children, unwanted presents, and garish Christmas specials are amongst those which do not. Nevertheless, one must not lose sight of the reason for such a joyous occasion: which is to celebrate the birth of our saviour, not Santa Claus, but Jesus Christ. A meaning often forgotten by those of common upbringing, who see this occasion as an excuse to drink wine to the point of intoxication, and then later regurgitate turkey and stuffing in a snow-topped bus shelter. And thus the prime principle of Jesus' teachings – to love one's neighbour – is more applicable than ever during Christmastide. Such love is demonstrated by you, the people of Britain, through the public funding which you so generously bestow upon myself, and my ever so needy family. It is through such funding that I buy my vibrant hats and organise my splendid garden parties. However, it takes but a simple visitation to a local shopping centre to demonstrate that some people are just impossible to love. (Cut to footage of hooligans spitting, riding mopeds and fighting) Many are those who carelessly loiter on street corners, countless amounts of unwanted offspring in tow, cigarette in mouth, alcohol in grasp. Copious amounts of this kind were exhibited during the widespread riots this August. Prince Philip and I would like to thank such rioters, for leaving Buckingham Palace undisturbed and instead besieging local ‘Tesco Extras' in slums such as Birmingham and Manchester. How obvious it would be, for me to imply we are a nation of peace and cohesion, with people who are loyal and respectful to those of supreme eminence, such as myself. Alas, I ensure many of you do not watch this broadcast due to royalist ideals, but have tuned in early for the 3:30 showing of â€Å"Shrek 2†. (Obligatory clip of Shrek 2, complete with advertisement for the blu-ray release) Unfortunately, our nation is in a state of utmost disharmony – a nightmare cesspit of crime, violence and vulgarity. Had it not been for my ever so vital role in the governing my kingdom, I fear the very fabric of our empire would have been torn to shreds by conceited anarchists. Waving from balconies, shaking hands with people whom I neither know nor wish to know, inheriting tax payer's money: but a few examples of the strenuous work which I endure for the sake of my country. Undoubtedly a stellar demonstration of expressing love for one's neighbour. The common folk of our country have previously proven hindersome to communities, with their spray paint and lacklustre futures. However this year this has changed, with the marriage of my grandson William, and his wife Kate – or should I say Catherine as she so prefers. She may be a royal, but she is still a mere laywoman is the eyes of the aristocracy. Despite the many elegant Princesses and majestic Duchesses whom I attempted to marry William off to, he instead settled with a commoner with rich parents. He really could have done better, but it's better Kate than never, I suppose. (Cut to footage of The Royal Wedding, mainly plebs frantically waving miniature union jacks) The rare marital union of proletariat and aristocrat spurred the excitement of many citizens of the commonwealth and fuelled the temporary harmony seen across the land. It gave us the opportunity to express pride in our country, wreck streets with streamers and novelty bunting, cause heavy traffic with road closures, buy tacky merchandise and hang Union Jacks from our windows. The chance that the populace celebrated due to legitimate pride and joy for their country is unlikely, many simply embraced the day off work. Regardless, the Royal Wedding instilled a sense of community where there was previously dissonance, gave us a well deserved boost in tourism, and finally made other countries pay attention to us. It put the Royal Family back in the good books after my husband accused a 14 year old boy of being â€Å"on drugs†. As Christmas is a time for reflection, I feel we must look back on the achievements and accomplishments of the 21st century thus far. As consumers, we owe a great sense of gratitude to the innovators and inventors behind the â€Å"iPhone†. (Cut to footage of the Queen on face time with Prince Philip, both laughing merrily.) Not only for revolutionising the way we communicate with one another, but also for â€Å"Angry Birds† and â€Å"iBeer†, which have managed to enrich me (and assuredly many others) with hours of entertainment and joy. 2011 has been a time of great development in industry, technology, science, but not economy. With a packet of â€Å"Space Raiders† crisps now at 15p and â€Å"Freddos† now at a staggering 20p, the effects of inflation are evident. We should take time, this Christmas, to reassure those whom have suffered the hardships of financial loss, including those irritating carolers begging for small change. But with such tribulation, we are only strengthened. We are a proud nation, we may moan, but we are proud. Some express this pride through celebration, and some express it through harsh xenophobia and degrading racism. But still we have managed to maintain our composure, as a family; together enduring obstacles such as rioting, terrorism, recession and disastrous coalition. Through my faith, and through the support you have given me, I continue to serve my country with utmost aspiration. Even to those who mock my accent, those who see me as nothing more than a device for tourism, and the Sex Pistols: I am thankful, for you are the catalyst behind my efforts. I wish you all a very happy Christmas. Unless you are of other religions, in which case absolutely no offence was intended, and you may continue with your heretical customs. (Fades to uniformed men with brass instruments playing typical patriotic themes.)

How Did Women Contribute To The Civil War - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1449 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2019/05/18 Category History Essay Level High school Tags: Civil War Essay War Essay Did you like this example? Most women in todays culture dont really understand how it was to be a woman during the Civil War. In the Civil War, women all around were involved left and right. From women how were politicians wives to women who were nurses and there were even women who were spies and even women how were disguises as men, the women of both the Union and the Confederacy were involved in it all. Dorothea Dix was a well known activist who was against people treating people who were insane medically or insane criminally so badly. She was also the one who is given credit for creating the mental asylums in the United States. Her devotion to the mental ill led to a widespread reform in the States. However, during the Civil War, she was the Superintendent of the Army Nurses for all of the Union. She was a smart and independent women and that made her a perfect pick for the job. Dixs first thing that she did for them was set up a strict guideline for nurses who worked on army soldiers. Her main goal was to make it to where the less attractive women went out on the front lines. The women had to be 30 years of age and plain looking. Dorothea Dixs failure in this position was part of her traditional beliefs about what certain genders do, and what they are supposed do on her administrative policy as Superintendent of Nurses. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "How Did Women Contribute To The Civil War?" essay for you Create order Rose ONeal Greenhow was a well known Confederate spy during the Civil War. Jefferson Davis, former president of the Confederate States, said that she was so good at her job that she is the reason that the Confederate won at the First Battle of Bull Run. She started her work as a spy by just sending information to the Confederates, then as time went on, she was in charge of the spy ring for the Confederacy. However, in August of 1861, Rose was put on house arrest by the Union because the Union suspected her. Before she was arrested, Rose tore up the information that would be the information that the Union needed to arrest her. After days of searching, they found the tore up documents and pasted them back together and found what they needed to charge her. Then, she was put in prison for the work that she did. Rose only stayed in prison for a little while. After she got pout, she moved to Virginia to do more work for the Confederates. In 1863, Davis sends Rose to Europe to convince the leaders in England and in France to join the Confederates in the fight for their independence. She was just as popular in Europe then she was in Washington. She then got her book published called My Imprisonment and the First Year of Abolition Rule at Washington,which sold really well. Rose did not succeed in getting the Europeans to join, however, she sdi get them to donated money for them during the war. Rose was so loyal to the Confederate that she died for them. In 1864, Rose decide to come back to the States. She was almost to her final destination when she boarded the Condor, a Confederate ship. While she was on this ship, A ship that belonged to the Union came along. So Rose asked to be sent to shore by a small boat. In the storm, The boat flipped and Rose Greenhow drowned. The other people on board survived. Rose, however, had the gold that the Europeans gave her sewn into her dress that she was wearing and the weight of the gold caused her to be taken to the bottom. The Women of the Confederacy still honor her grave today. Belle Boyd was also a confederate spy. She was better at tempting the Union soldiers than anything else. Belle Boyd became a spy for the Confederacy because she knew that she was attractive and that she would be able to get the the Union men using her looks. She used her parents hotel which was located in Martinsburg located in the Shenandoah Valley. as a place that she could take the men to get the information. On many occasions, Belle was called different names like the Cleopatra of the Secession and the Siren of the Shenandoah because of her charm that she had on men. The first thing that she did as a Confederate spy was when Union soldiers came to her house because they had heard that she had equipment that belonged to the Confederacy. When a soldier from the Union disrespected her mother, Belle shot him and killed him. She was not charged with murder the union placed soldiers outside her home to keep her inside. Some of those soldiers she wooed and got information that was of use to the Confederacy. However, when she tried to send out the information to the Confederacy, she got caught. Then was simply tried harder and was able to sneak around to the Confederates side and did whatever she was told to do. She was in prison a lot for being a spy, but afterward she moved to England. There she became a celebrity.While she was there she married a Union office named Lieutenant Samuel Wylde Hardinge. After their wedding, Belle convinced him to become a Confederate spy. He was captured and put into prison. Belle became an actress and had many more marriages. She took a tour of the United States and told her stories of her time being a spy. Belle even wrote a book telling the stories of her experience. It was called Belle Boyd in Camp and Prison. At age 56 Belle died of a heart attack. Louisa May Alcott was very important during the Civil War. She was a dedicated nurse, she worked really hard. Louisa had really bad working conditions in the hospital that she was stationed too.When she turned thirty is when she decided to help in the war effort. Louisa was under the authority of Dorothea Dix on the nursing staff. She only worked as a nurse for six weeks because she caught a bad case of typhoid fever and had to return home. However, her time there was not wasted. She had to experience the curality to war without fighting in it. One man came in covered with mud and his face was covered in black smoke from the war. Louisa also learned of the horrible things that were happening outside because while she was comforting the soldiers they were sharing their experiences. In her book Hospital Sketches And Camp and Fireside Stories that she wrote in 1863, she talks about her different experiences as a nurse there. When she got sick and had to leave, it affected her for the re st of her life. However, she continued to write her stories and is now a famous author. In March of 1888, two days after her fathers died, Louisa May Alcott died because her health had only gotten worse since the war, leaving behind several books for young women that are still popular even though they were written so long ago. Finally, Frances Clalin was a major part of the Civil War because she dressed herself as a Union soldier. She decided that she wanted to help the war effort by actually fighting in the War. Frances left behind her whole life and hid old pictures of herself and she became Francis Clayton. After she enlisted she had to do things to keep them from accepting her to be a women. For example, she kept her hair short, chewed tobacco, drank, swore, smoked cigars, and gambled. She was a perfect soldier, she cared about her country. Hert husband, John, enlisted with her and they fought side by side. When her husband was killed, she was right beside him. She was so brave that she stepped over him and kept on fighting. In 1863, Frances was released because of her injury and she kept her disguise the whole time that she was enlisted. While she was recovering, Frances attempted to return to the army, apparently to get money that she and John earned, but maybe so that she could get a position in the army. In Louisville, the provost marshal found her, ordering her to return home. It was last heard Clalin was traveling to Washington, D.C., but there is nothing about what happened to her after that. All of these women have contributed to the Civil War one way or another. Each of them had to go through things that no woman know a days will ever go through. Some even gave up their true identities simply because they loved their country.