Summary of “Advice to Women” written by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson's poem - Advice to Women is a satirical critique of the societal expectations and gender norms placed on women in the 19th century. The poem uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to highlight the absurdity and hypocrisy of these expectations and norms.
The speaker in the poem begins by advising women to stay at home and sew, which is a clear reference to the expectation that women should be subservient and domestic. The speaker then goes on to advise women to "be chaste as ice and pure as snow, while also acknowledging that "men will lie to get you in their snare. This juxtaposition highlights the double standards that existed for men and women in the 19th century, as women were expected to be pure and virtuous while men were allowed to be promiscuous and deceitful.
The speaker then advises women to let your words be few and far between and to never let a man know what you think. This advice satirizes the ways in which women were silenced and marginalized in the 19th century, as they were not allowed to speak their minds or express their opinions.
The poem concludes with the speaker advising women to be always kind and good and true, but also to beware of men, for they are all deceivers. This final piece of advice highlights the speaker's cynicism about the possibility of true love and companionship between men and women in a society that was deeply patriarchal and misogynistic.
Overall, Dickinson's poem and quote- Advice to Women's is a powerful and insightful critique of the societal expectations and gender norms placed on women in the 19th century. The poem's humor, irony, and exaggeration are effective in exposing the absurdity and hypocrisy of these expectations and norms, and in challenging the reader to think critically about these issues.
“The Color Purple” by Alice Walker (Summary)
Alice Walker, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Color Purple is a powerful and
moving story about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression. The
novel tells the story of Celie, a young Black woman living in the rural South in the
early 20th century. Celie is subjected to abuse and violence from her father and
husband, but she finds strength and solace in her friendship with another Black
woman, Shug Avery.
Walker uses a variety of literary techniques to create a vivid and evocative portrait of
Celie's world. She uses sensory imagery to bring the reader into the story, such as
when she describes the smell of the sweat on Celie's father's neck or the taste of the
food that Celie cooks for her husband. She also uses symbolism and metaphor to
explore complex themes such as oppression, resilience, and love.
One of the most striking things about The Color Purple is its epistolary form. The
novel is written as a series of letters from Celie to God. This epistolary form allows
the reader to access Celie's inner thoughts and feelings in a way that would not be
possible if the novel were written in a traditional third-person narrative style.
Through Celie's letters, the reader learns about her struggles and triumphs, her
hopes and dreams. The reader also learns about the resilience of the human spirit
and the power of love to overcome even the most difficult of circumstances.
The Color Purple is a powerful and moving novel that has resonated with readers for
generations. It is a story about the resilience of the human spirit in the face of
oppression, and it is a celebration of the power of love.
Here are some of the key themes explored in The Color Purple:
Oppression: Celie is oppressed in a number of ways, including by her
father, her husband, and the broader society in which she lives.She is
subjected to physical,emotional, and sexual abuse.
Resilience: Despite the oppression she faces, Celie remains resilient. She
finds strength in her relationships with other women, and she eventually
learns to love and value herself.
Love: Love is a powerful force in The Color Purple. It is through love that Celie
is able to overcome her oppression and find happiness.
The Color Purple is a complex and powerful novel that explores important themes in
a thought-provoking way. It is a must-read for anyone interested in American
literature, women's studies, or African American studies.
“Daddy" by Sylvia Plath (Summary)
Sylvia Plath Poem - Daddy is a complex and powerful exploration of the speaker's
relationship with her father. The poem is full of rage, grief, and longing, and it offers a
searing indictment of patriarchy and fascism.
The speaker addresses her father directly, calling him a bastard and a vampire.
She also confesses her fear of him and her longing for his approval. The speaker's
father is a powerful and threatening figure, and the speaker's relationship with him is
deeply ambivalent.
Plath uses a variety of poetic techniques to create the poem's complex tone and
atmosphere. She employs vivid and often disturbing imagery, such as the image of
her father as a vampire and a Fascist. She also uses direct and unflinching
language, such as the line I have always been scared of you. Additionally, Plath's
syntax is often complex and challenging, reflecting the complexity of the speaker's
emotions.
The poem's structure is also significant. The poem is divided into two stanzas, with
the first stanza focusing on the speaker's anger and defiance, and the second stanza
focusing on her vulnerability and longing. This shift in focus reflects the speaker's
own journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
Daddy is a powerful and moving poem that explores complex themes such as grief,
anger, and patriarchy in a unique and innovative way. Plath's use of language,
imagery, and structure is masterful, and the poem remains one of the most important
and influential works of American literature.