Maham 1

Aqsa Maham
Ms. Morrison
AP English; Period 1
28 March 2016
Women: Submissive or Resistant
Leading back to many centuries, oppression has been used by many dominant individuals
in an attempt to gain and inflict power on minorities. Oppression is often shown through the
denial of fundamental rights such as education, the right to vote, and financial independence. By
overtaking these rights, the oppressor is able to satiate its greed for power causing the oppressed
to become entirely dependent and controlled. Tracing back into history, many groups have been
oppressed either by society or the dominance of man. Some of these minorities included African
Americans, Native Americans, and women. These groups faced many discrepancies that kept
them from trying to raise their voice. They were kept deprived of basic human rights. Of these
minorities, women have been suppressed as a result of gender inequalities set by the society
where are women being kept under influence. As set by the society, true womanhood lays out
expectations that a woman must meet up to. Since the day they are born, they are taught to grow
up to certain standards without questioning. They are taught to give in but never to demand.
Though these expectations were set, there were both women who succumbed and those who
resisted. As a minority, some women accepted their fate while others took a chance to resist
against their oppressor in hope to gain their freedom.
Looking back into history, marriage has always been a way to tyrannize women. They
adopt the surname of their husband as the first step of becoming their property. In many
instances, women learn that they must succumb in order keep their relationship together. A wifes

Maham 2

duty primarily becomes to serve their husbands even if it means losing their rights. In A Streetcar
Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, Stella Kowalski was a woman who lived up to her duties
as an ideal wife. Married to Stanley Kowalski, Stella is treated as Stanleys property who often
abuses Stella mentally, physically, as well as emotionally. He is an alpha male who uses his
animalistic personality to keep Stella under his influence. Stella gets faced with an important
decision to succumb or resist when her husband rapes her sister Blanche DuBois. In this
situation, Stella gets overwhelmed and does not understand whether to leave her husband and
take her child along with her or to succumb and betray her sister. In the end, Stella decides to
succumb when her neighbor Eunice explains, Dont ever believe it. Life has to go on. No matter
what happens, youve got to keep on going (Williams, 133). Although Stella knows Stanleys
reputation, she betrays her sister because her child with Stanley was her constraint against her
freedom. Because of this fact, Stella succumbs and returns to her husband denying Blanches
accusation and staying practical for the sake of her own sanity. She passively accepts that this is
how marriage is meant to be and now is forever dependent on Stanley due to their child. Stella is
similar to many other colonial women who felt that they must continue to move on in life and
accept their pre-destined fate.
Similar to Stella Kowalski, Louise Mallard, from A Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin,
is another wife who suffered from the oppression of her husband. Mrs. Mallard represent the
gloominess and depression in the life of a woman whose is deprived of freedom and happiness.
Though her husband, Mr. Brantley Mallard, showed true affection towards her, like any man he
still suppressed her by inflicting his power upon her. This oppression was still a crime whether
done out of greed, malice, or love. When Mrs. Mallard first heard the news of her husbands
death, there was a rush of unexplainable emotions running through her mind. She later realizes it

Maham 3

is the joy of finally obtaining her freedom when she starts to see the patches of blue sky
showing here and there through the clouds that had met and piled one above the other in the west
facing her window (Chopin, 474). She is now liberated to fly through the sky and see a new life.
Unlike other women, she had not grieved over the death of her husband but opened a new life for
herself. This dream gets crushed when the news of Mr. Mallard being alive gets released, and she
dies suddenly. Though the doctor reveal that she had died of joy, there was situational irony
present. Mrs. Mallard, in reality, died of grief and despair and once again her freedom is lost.
Rather than resisting that oppression, Mrs. Mallard had always succumbed and her death was
another way to give in. Stella Kowalski and Mrs. Mallard were two wives who ultimately give
into the oppression of their husbands denying the freedom they urged for.
Along with Stella Kowalski and Mrs. Mallard, there is another wife who suffered under
the subjugation of man. Desiree Aubigny, from Desirees Baby by Kate Chopin, was a wife
who, dejected by her husband, committed the murder of her child and her own suicide. Her
husband, Armand Aubigny, had married Desiree without caring of her background even though
the lost babys past was a mystery. He not only oppressed his wife after the birth of their slightly
dark child, but also the slaves who worked on his plantation. Because no one knew Desirees
background, he accused her of being a child of a slave showing an intent hatred towards her.
Broken by his hatred, Desiree leaves with the only option that I shall die. I must die. I cannot be
so unhappy, and live (Chopin, 3). She succumbs without standing against the accusations that
were entirely a lie. Rather than standing up for her identity, she chooses death. This death,
similar to Mrs. Mallard, shows that Desiree also succumbs as a result of grief and pain.
There are other women who do not exactly get oppressed by their husband but by the
society and male dominance in general. This oppression forces the female population to succumb

Maham 4

and forcefully give in. In A Streetcar Named Desire, Blanche DuBois is a character that displays
a woman whose personality dramatically changes from being flamboyant and over the top to one
who is now over the edge broken down mentally, physically, and emotionally. Stanley Kowalski
not only oppresses his wife Stella Kowalski but also any other individual that challenged his
power. When Blanche comes to live with Stella and Stanley, she begins to speak against Stanley
and tries to free Stella from his captivity. Stanley could not bear this and by raping Blanche, he
practiced and proved his power. Blanche eventually succumbed to Stanley and as a result of
psychological breakdown, she completely loses her sanity. This dramatic change in Blanches
life shows that the oppressor will do anything to keep his power and will prove that he will
always be the one in power no matter who challenges it.
Similar to Blanche DuBois, there are also other women who transform themselves as a
result of the oppression of the society. The young girl in Barbie Doll by Marge Piercy is
another female example who transforms herself as a result of the expectations of the society. The
society sets rules on how a female must portray herself in order to get married and live up to
certain expectations. Likewise, the young girl constantly gets criticized for having a big nose
and fat thighs. This accusation forces this girl to transform herself to the expectations. The
transformation shows that she could not risk to resist and go against the society even if they
promoted double standards. She understands that though there are separate standards for both
men and women, she needs to accept her fate by succumbing. Similar to Blanch DuBois, this
young girl also transforms herself as a result of the constant subjection from society.
There are wives who are brought up to accept their fate as a submissive individual whose
only role is to accept the saying of their husband. Breaking this custom, there were also wives
who decided to resist this expectancy and raise a voice for their power. Abigail Adams, from

Maham 5

Letters by John and Abigail Adams, was a wife who spoke up against her husband in favor of
the female population. During the time of the American Revolution, the Declaration of
Independence was to be written in which Abigail Adams wanted the women rights to be
mentioned. Without accusing her husband, she is able to imply the universal truth that the innate
nature of man to be superior causes him to abuse his power through injustices. Although Abigail
Adams attempts to make it clear to John Adams that it is important to mention the women, her
act of resistance fails as John Adams ridicules her attempt and implies that if women are given
power they will abuse it. Though Abigail Adams was an educated and successful woman, her
attempts to resist male power ultimately fails.
Similar to Abigail Adams, there are other women who also attempt to stand up for their
rights and their freedom. Another woman was Judy Brady who expresses her resistance through
I Want a Wife. The Cults of Domesticity are marked by the 3 Cs: cooking, cleaning and caring
for kids. In this short story, the chores and burdens which fall under the Cults of Domesticity are
listed as a form of resistance. It shows that a wife is not a servant, but rather a human who is
overly oppressed by man. Judy Brady support her claim by saying, My God, who wouldnt
want a wife? (510). This last statement is a form of resistance because it shows that for a
change, women also want to have their burdens lifted. They also want someone who they can
command around in life to do what they wish. Although she resists, her resistance is not
successful because no matter what a woman does there will never be a chance where they can
have their burdens lifted and breathe the air of freedom. Abigail Adams and Judy Brady both try
to stand up against the society to speak up for many women but their attempts are unsuccessful.
In the society, there have also been acts of resistance by women who were able to create a
change. They created an act of resistance upon which other women could also act upon. Hester

Maham 6

Prynne, from The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, acts through resistance and sets an
example for the other women in the society. After committing a crime of adultery, Hester gets
punished by the magistrate and society to wear the badge of shame across her chest. The Scarlet
Letter A was meant to bring shame and embarrassment, but Hester transformed the symbol into
meaning Able. She did not accept the emblem of shame and with her ability changed her fate that
the magistrate had thought they were controlling. Her acts of resistance were openly shown to
mock and put down the magistrate. Her daughter, Pearl, wore highly embroidered and
flamboyant colors going against the Puritan standards of living. She was not subservient like
other Puritan girls, but instead had a prominent personality that stood out. Also, she does not
wear the Scarlet Letter with shame, but rather with pride and confidence. She accepts that she
committed a crime but does not feel guilty for that crime. In a way, Hester feels guilty for not
feeling guilty. Overall, Pearl is her symbol of resistance against the society and the magistrate.
Her voice against her oppressors is successful because the entire Puritan community wears
clothing with her embroidery done on it. The Puritans were hypocrites and did nothing to subdue
her forms of resistance. The most prominent form of resistance was when Hester separated
herself from the society. Other women began coming to Hester demanding why they were so
wretched, and what the remedy! (Hawthorne, 180). Not only did Hester resist herself, she set an
example for other women to also resist the punishments assigned to them by the society. In unity,
Hesters resistance against the magistrate was successful and she was able to set an example for
the other women in the society who also faced the discrepancy.
In The Speech of Miss Polly Baker by Benjamin Franklin, Miss. Polly Baker is another
personality who stands up against the society and the Court for a voice against its oppression.
Similar to Hester Prynne, Miss. Polly Baker had also committed the crime of adultery not once,

Maham 7

but five times. She constantly pays heavy fines and each times gets faced with much punishment.
She is the first to stand up for womens reproductive rights. Though the court accuses her and
looks down upon her actions, Miss. Polly Baker shows the reality to the court and challenges the
double standards of the society. It may be acceptable for men to have a relationship out-ofwedlock, but it is highly punished if a woman even thinks of such a crime. She challenges the
double standards, which are the different set of gender expectation, by giving a reality check to
the society. She was the only woman who stood up against the Court to say that for once, the
punishment now needs to be given to men and their power and authority needs to be controlled.
She wishes to get married, but no man accepts the burden or expense of a family. Her last form
of resistance is when she says, and therefore ought, in my humble Opinion, instead of a
Whipping, to have a Statue erected to my Memory (Franklin, 534). This statement speaks
against the high officials mocking their unjust legislative. Her resistance is successful because
she was able to instill sympathy into the judges of the Court. One of the judges, himself, agreed
to take on the responsibility through marriage. Not only did she successfully speak up against the
Court, she also found a husband willing to get married. Hester Prynne and Miss. Polly Baker
both have oppressors that want to publically denounce them. Still, both are able to resist the
denouncement and fight for their rights.
In Sweat, by Zora Neal Hurston, Delia Jones is a wife who resists her husband and she
is successful. Her husband, Sykes Jones, oppresses Delia by severely whipping her. Delia, at
first, silently bears the pain and lets Sykes live on her hard earned money. Eventually, Delia
breaks through and finally decides to let Sykes suffer through the punishment that he deserves.
Sykes brings in a snake to torture and scar Delia. He shows power by having another woman
with whom he had an affair, whipping her severely, and also using the snake to show who was

Maham 8

the man in power. Although Delia was financially independent, Sykes used physical abuse to
prove his power to Delia. The snake plan eventually backfires and Sykes gets stuck in the room
with a venomous snake. Ideally, it is Delias duty as a wife to save her husband at any cost but
she does not do so. Instead, she leaves her husband to be bit viciously by the snake. This was
Delias way to resist her husband because she knows that If things aint right, Gawd knows
taint mah fault (Hurston, 609). She had faith that Sykes was the true deserver of the
punishment and trap he had laid out. If saved, Sykes would once again oppose his oppression
upon Delia. Ultimately, Delia is able to resist and overtake her oppressor.
Harriet Jacobs, who wrote Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, was a slave who resisted
the oppression of an epicure Master. Her owner, Dr. Flint, sexually advances her, but she
manages to keep her self-respect. Raised up, her father had always taught her not to live as
someones property. Though they are slaves they were taught to live up to their individual
identity. Linda, who is the fictional representation of Harriet Jacobs, has two children with Mr.
Sands. Having a child with a white man who was not her owner was an act of resistance to look
down upon Dr. Flint. Dr. Flint could not bear this and makes more attempts to sexually advance
her. After having the two children, Linda becomes an overly protected and devoted mother.
Because of her motherhood, she strongly wants to keep her children away from the constraints of
slavery. She believes that thought their race may be ark, God judges men by their hearts not by
the color of their skins (Jacobs, 213). She had faith that she was not destined to be a slave and
God had never made any one race inferior to the other. As a result, she takes a risky decision of
deciding to run away. The consequence of a runaway slave was so severe that it resulted in a
slow, harsh, and painful death. Overlooking this consequence, Linda hides in an attic, away from
Dr. Flint. Now, through this action, Linda challenges his oppression since she now is

Maham 9

psychologically and spiritually independent. This independence is the greatest form of resistance
for the reason that as a slave, freedom is not obtainable. Still, she reached the impossibility and
resisted against the harshest oppressor.
In the society, the double standards for men and women are present, but it is up to an
individual to decide whether they want to be suppressed under the expectations. It is inevitable
that the human nature of a powerful man can ever be changed. Instead, the individual will seek
ways to inflict and prove their power upon others. Tracing back to history, women have always
been one that were brainwashed to keep quiet and obey their husbands. Some chose to accept
their fate while others challenged their oppressors to change their destined fate. Sometimes,
succumbing under an oppressor is for the better. One succumbs knowing that it is the only option
to survive against the cruel world where they cannot stand alone. Some women have the option
to resist since they are rebellious enough to look past the consequences. They change their fate
from being submissive to being powerful. In the end, it is not important that the rebellion is
successful but that a women attempts to stand for her rights. Until a woman raises her voice, they
will never know the true result. In our history, women have raised their voice and the wide gap of
discrepancy that was present before, has now lessened. Women stood up for suffrage, education,
and their rights to work for financial independency. Any individual can transform from being
subservient to powerful only if they take the first step of resistance. Only then will they be able
to shape their pre-destined fate themselves.