American culture and identity
The second question being considered during this unit is: What does the way women are depicted in contemporary fiction say about our culture and identity? Evaluate the purpose of presenting women in this way in your novel.
Women in contemporary society
One of the questions being considered during this unit is: How are women depicted in contemporary fiction and media? During your reading of the novel, comment on the ways in which women are being portrayed. Consider relationships, experiences, situations, etc.
2 responses so far ↓
1
Ida E
// Apr 4, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Women in contemporary society are being pictured as not having the same value as men. The two women we meet are Lily and Rosaline. Rosaline is a strong black woman and she’s not accepting being treated badly. She is the strong woman that this book needs. Rosalyn becomes the only person that Lily can lean on and really trust. Lily is the other character, a young girl who is struggling with her mean stepfather. To escape her daily pain she tries to get lost in dreams. More than ever she wants to be a normal child and have everything that other girls her age has. But her step dad is pushing down her dreams and needs. The women are not worthy of having ambition or dreams. The men want to be in charge and make the women stay at home where their place is. This is a world of discrimination, racism and abuse. Women now days are still influenced by these old thoughts but we are starting to break free more and more. Equality has been one of the most important goals for us.
2
Shayna
// Apr 11, 2007 at 11:14 pm
In the Secret Life of Bees women are depicted as helpless and inferior to men. I think that the relationship between Lily and her father really demonstrates this relationship. Even before her mother’s death her father has been controlling and abusive mentally and physically. This aspect got worse after her mother’s accidental death. After learning about what happened to her mother Lily feels responsible and guilty. I also think that her father is so hard on her because he blames her for killing his wife. Even as a young kid he probably thinks that she did it on purpose. T-Ray is no so much a father as a prison guard. He watches over everything Lily does and basically confines her to what he thinks is best.
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