This article by author Rebecca Solnit expounds the recent literature of essays and books about female anger. The norm has always been to accept male anger, “that it’s an inevitable and normal reaction to unpleasant and insulting things, and that it’s powerful.” Whereas females were expected to be pleasant and understanding of the people around them, suppressing their own rage.
The main theme addressed in the books referenced by Solnit is a world where women have many reasons to be angry because of how men are treating them, but expressing those anger would create a negative perceptions – where they would be “perceived as more hostile, irritable, less competent, and unlikable”. Solnit also brings in anecdotes of the intricacies between fury, restraint, and power.
Analysis:
Books and literature have an important role in our lives as writers take phenomena, and magnify issues through the artistic expression of words for a larger audience to understand. They can reflect our society’s shortcomings, and inspire deeper understanding of what is happening around us.
Female representation in the literature world is essential in providing perspectives. Most of the time, books are written to deliver a message that others do not necessarily hear. For progress to be made in the movement for gender equality, more people need to be made aware of the norms that are perpetuated, and to make conscious efforts in improving how we relate to one another.
Female writers were once snubbed and criticised for their works in the era where literature, as with many industries, were dominated by men. This video below is a student documentary that talks about Jane Austen’s predicament in wanting to join men in the literary world.
We have come a long way since then, and should continue to be progressive in equalising the rights of both women, and men.
Questions for personal evaluation:
- Why do you think the female rage is frowned upon? Should male anger be representative of power?
- What were some of the new perspectives you have gained from reading literature? How practical are these learnings?
Useful vocabulary/phrases:
- ‘Impugn’ : dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of (a statement or motive); call into question
- ‘Fortify’ : build defences around
- ‘Compendiums’ : a collection of concise but detailed information about a particular subject, especially in a book or other publication.
Picture credits:https://pixabay.com/en/women-portrait-feminism-graffiti-54433/