This essay argues that Behn's juxtaposition of native qualities with values of the period constructs the gender of her characters in such a way that they function only as dark-skinned representatives of white virtue. ... In this act, therefore, Imoinda embodies the ideal wife and the pinnacle of femininity "more willing to die by the hand of her husband than to have her virtue threatened by strangers. ... This conflation of gender, virtue and status, seen both in Oroonoko and the Spectator, renders characters flat. ...

• Word Count: 876
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

It describes a child coming into women hood before her time when advanced upon by an older male stranger. ... They walk in the woods filled with shadows towards the western light that leads to her birth, when the character is recognized as special. ... The temptation in this story is the male stranger who just happens to be hunting for "birds" (a term for women) in the very same woods that Sylvia is walking in. ... In this work the male stranger, "the enemy" intimidates Sylvia with his age, demands and his shotgun, which is the recurring phallic symbol in this story. ... In her return a part...

• Word Count: 1287
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

To try to deconstruct the character of Lara Croft and to process this analysis using gender critique is quite a feat. The complexity of this virtual character does not even conform to conventional modes in which the "Real Woman" per se is based. ... Strangers In the Myst of Video Gaming: Ethics and Representation discusses which image girls and women can identify with in a meaningful way, if they can relate to it at all. ... The text suggests that the depiction of such a character may be the answer to the game's popularity among the male audience. ... Despite the possibility that wo...

• Word Count: 399
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Symbols are important in the story because they are responsible for unfolding and revealing the meaning of the story, and Elisa's character, as well. In this short story, Steinbeck uses Elisa's character to portray how a woman's emotions are affected by what she values and how her character develops from those feelings. ... Notice how Steinbeck describes how Elisa's irritated face has vanished as a result from the stranger's question, which is Elisa's interest. ... After this incident, Elisa's character changes again due to her expressed emotions caused b...

• Word Count: 1566
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

Both the setting and plot play crucial roles in understanding the central pillar of female power; each time being the base - the foundation - of each character's success. ... Working from the shadows, the female characters in "The Epic of Gilgamesh" create a story which shows the role of female dominance in the creation of a civilized and powerful Sumeria. ... When characters are examined, Gilgamesh's actions seem to amount to little in comparison with his mother's accomplishments. ... One could argue that women might have a large role in the story, but Gilgamesh and Enkidu a...

• Word Count: 1389
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Critical readings of Chopin's works often note the tension between female characters and the society that surrounds them. ... In the "The Story Of An Hour-, Chopin illustrates freedom in the character Mrs. ... Therefore, the women in her stories become strangers to the conventional role of women in a stereotypical society. ... The Awakening by Kate Chopin was considered very shocking when it was first published because of the "sexual awakening" of the main character, Edna Pontellier, and her unconventional behavior (Evans no page). ... You also see rebellion of the female characters...

• Word Count: 1053
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Nora finally comes to the realization that she does not know Torvald at all and has been living with a stranger for eight years. ... The climax of A Doll's House comes when Nora finally recognizes that she can no longer live as Torvald's "most treasured possession"(956), and goes through a change in character. ... She discovers the reality of her marriage and is forever changed, "Torvald, that was the moment I realized that for eight years I"d been living with a stranger, and had borne him three children . . . ...

• Word Count: 1484
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

However, in the tragedies of the fifth century, women were dominant major characters that were seen as heroines. ... They were not allowed to own land and were married off very young to total strangers. ... The character of Clytemnestra in Aeschylus" Agamemnon is very masculine and is shown posses some male traits. ... Euripides Medea is one of the tragedies that shows a woman dominating the rest of the characters in the play. This female character throughout the play criticises the conditions of women and they way they were treated. ...

• Word Count: 1759
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

He presents gender as a changeable trait, not necessarily corresponding to the sex of the character. ... He reflects the complexities of human nature and identity by showing contradictions in the genders of many characters, especially that of Feste. ... Initially in the play, Shakespeare establishes the conventional definition of a man and a woman in the characters of Orsino and Olivia. ... Shakespeare displays more contradictions in the characters of Viola and Maria, who both have considerable wit and intelligence. ... The language of a character always reflects his or her gender. ...

• Word Count: 2131
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

directed by Ridley Scott, Thelma Dickinson acted by Geena Davis, was a very effective character that drew the audience's attention in many ways. ... Thelma is also too reliant on strangers, and believe that they are harmless as long as they talk nicely. ... After DJ takes all the money that Louise has saved and depends on to get to Mexico, Louise becomes the one in charge, and has a drastic character change, because now she knows that it was her fault for leaving the money on the table with DJ who is a thief, when Louise has repeatedly told he to guard the money. ...

• Word Count: 1107
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Compare and Contrast the representation of female characters in Snow White and Mulan. ... Other traditional Disney heroines are characters like Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) and Cinderella. ... Mulan is far more complex than most Disney heroines; she has personal flaws, which make her easier to relate to than other characters. ... Many stereotypes can be recognised when comparing and contrasting the two female characters. ... It could be argued that there has been some progression in the portrayals of female characters in Disney over time. ...

• Word Count: 2236
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The character of the sly womanizer, Dmitri Gurov, also asks these questions. ... In the character of Dmitri, Chekhov gives a man who seems to despise women; "he almost always spoke ill of women - However, I believe that this was an act that he showed. ... He arrived there only to become a stranger in uncomfortable surroundings. ...

• Word Count: 1592
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

Nothing hurts more than the sudden realization that the person we love does not love us anymore. Love tops almost everyone's wish list, but unfortunately it does not last forever. Its enemies: lack of communication, routine, money, different points of view, etc. "Shiloh", by Bobbie Ann Mason...

• Word Count: 855
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Many women characters throughout American literature reflect the same conflicts and attitudes of Nora in Ibsen's play A Doll House. ... James is disrespectful towards his wife and does not pride himself in speaking well of her even though he should, especially to strangers. ...

• Word Count: 1949
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School