After reading Chapter 25, choose a scene or episode from a novel, play or epic written before the twentieth century. Contrast how it could be viewed by a reader from the twenty-first century with how it might be viewed by a contemporary reader. Focus on specific assumptions that the author makes, assumptions that would not make it in this century.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
This novel is an example of a literary piece on which the readers have different views about it then and now. Back then, women didn’t have as many rights as women do today. During this time, a woman’s goal was to get married to a rich dude, provide kids, and be happy. Womens’ future lives depends on the men, whether it be their father, brother, cousin or husband. So maybe, back then, it was quite a normal setting for the readers, but some things like Elizabeth’s thoughts on women-men stuff, on marriage, love, ideals and all that must have been pretty shocking for everybody. Something that’s true, but not said or heard. A revolutionary character. Love over money.
But at recent times, ESPECIALLY as feminism is rising fast.. I could imagine readers rooting for Elizabeth as it is the “right” thing to do (socially accepted now). The notion that women are objects are GONE. POOF. GONE. Readers now are less cable to connect, and empathise with the situation, as we don’t really marry in our teenage years as well.
This novel is an example of a literary piece on which the readers have different views about it then and now. Back then, women didn’t have as many rights as women do today. During this time, a woman’s goal was to get married to a rich dude, provide kids, and be happy. Womens’ future lives depends on the men, whether it be their father, brother, cousin or husband. So maybe, back then, it was quite a normal setting for the readers, but some things like Elizabeth’s thoughts on women-men stuff, on marriage, love, ideals and all that must have been pretty shocking for everybody. Something that’s true, but not said or heard. A revolutionary character. Love over money.
But at recent times, ESPECIALLY as feminism is rising fast.. I could imagine readers rooting for Elizabeth as it is the “right” thing to do (socially accepted now). The notion that women are objects are GONE. POOF. GONE. Readers now are less cable to connect, and empathise with the situation, as we don’t really marry in our teenage years as well.