Gender in American Literature

Modern society possesses a continuously repeating habit of holding females back from their dreams, desires, and their true selves.

Introduction

This culture lets men rise and do as they wish while simultaneously permitting women to falter and fall. This troubling dynamic, though more prevalent in the past, persists in today's society. Through The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, the author conveys to her audience society’s cutthroat habits towards women and their continuous wish to gossip. The characters solely promote the negative qualities of each other, instead of embracing the positive.

Wharton's main character, Miss Lily Bart, is stuck in a rut in a high-class world that only cares about money and social class, disregarding actual emotions, least of all love.

Gender and Class

In Wharton’s narrative, gender and class are intertwined in a manner that restricts women’s agency. Society views women who aspire to ascend the social ladder as solely ornamental, meant to be seen and admired but not heard or valued for their intellect. As a young woman without capital, Lily Bart cannot live the life of the men around her, such as Lawrence Selden or Percy Gryce, who enjoy freedoms she can only dream of. Instead, she is expected to secure her future through marriage. Her candid acknowledgment of this is evident when she reflects on her pursuit of Jack Stepney, stating, “All Jack has to do to get everything he wants is to keep quiet and let that girl marry him; whereas I have to calculate and contrive, and retreat and advance…” (Pg. 78). This reveals the stark reality that women, unlike their male counterparts, must navigate a complex social landscape to secure their social and economic standing.

Marriage and Love

The concept of love in Wharton’s world is overshadowed by economic necessity. Women like Lily are forced into the marriage market, where their economic position is more prized than their emotional well-being. This societal norm is ingrained in Lily, as evidenced by her upbringing, where marriage was seen as a means to financial security rather than emotional fulfillment. Her mother’s passion for money further entrenched this belief. Wharton contrasts characters like Lily with Bertha Dorset and Judy Trenor, who, though married, enjoy a semblance of freedom and engage in gossip and affairs to entertain themselves. This reflects a world where genuine emotional connections are rare, and social ascension is the ultimate goal.

Gossip and Society

Gossip serves as both a weapon and a form of entertainment in this superficial society. Lily’s constant fear of societal judgment ultimately leads to her demise. She is aware of the power of gossip, yet she chooses not to use Bertha’s letters for blackmail, prioritizing her emotional integrity over economic gain. This decision marks her evolution away from societal thinking, as she rejects the norms that dictate a woman’s worth. Her tragic end raises questions about the role of love in a world that values appearances over genuine connections.

Contrasting Perspectives

In Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God, the feminist perspective is presented through a different lens. The protagonist, Janie Crawford, is not part of an elite class like Lily Bart but is an older African American woman considered to be of a lower social class. Despite this, Janie's journey towards self-discovery and fulfillment is strikingly similar to Lily’s, albeit with significant differences. Janie’s story begins in a superficial society where her physical appearance is noted with phrases like “firm grapefruits.” Her journey through three marriages reflects her growth and understanding of love and self-worth.

Janie's Journey

Janie’s marriages serve as milestones in her quest for self-awareness and fulfillment. Her first marriage to Logan Killicks is motivated by economic security, as advised by her grandmother, Nanny. However, Janie soon realizes that security without love is unfulfilling, echoing Lily’s hesitation to marry Percy Gryce. Janie’s subsequent marriages to Jody Starks and Tea Cake reveal her evolving understanding of love and gender roles. Tea Cake, in particular, represents a departure from societal norms, offering Janie a relationship based on mutual respect and emotional connection. This stands in contrast to the superficial relationships seen in Wharton’s world.

Race and Society

Hurston introduces the element of race, a dimension largely absent in Wharton’s narrative. Janie’s experiences are shaped by the racial dynamics of the rural South, as illustrated by Nanny’s belief that “the white man is the ruler of everything.” Janie’s pursuit of love and self-discovery occurs within this racially charged context, adding complexity to her journey. Despite societal constraints, Janie finds freedom and empowerment through her relationship with Tea Cake, ultimately achieving a sense of contentment and self-awareness.

Conclusion

Both The House of Mirth and Their Eyes Were Watching God explore the themes of gender roles, love, and class, albeit from different perspectives. Wharton’s narrative focuses on the societal pressures faced by women in the pursuit of social and economic gain, while Hurston highlights the intersection of race, gender, and love. Both Lily and Janie seek to redefine their roles in a world that views them as mere objects of physical attractiveness. In doing so, they embark on journeys of self-discovery, ultimately finding that love and personal fulfillment are more important than societal expectations. These narratives underscore the enduring struggle for female empowerment and the quest for genuine emotional connections in a world that often prioritizes appearances over substance.

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