Table of Contents
An opening
Feminist Analysis of “The Necklace
In conclusion
Intro
This is an introductory text. It is meant to provide an overview of the topic at hand. It outlines the main points to be discussed and provides a brief explanation of each. It also serves as an introduction to the reader and helps them to understand what is to come.
Are women and men equal? Are we experiencing feminism nowadays? Does it matter? Harri Harriholkeri once said, “Men and women may have different responsibilities, but they are all equal.” Generation Z is a group that has been a witness to many feminist campaigns, like the LGBTQ+ or Gabriela. People thought feminist theory only dealt with the power of women and promoted superiority in females. It focuses in real life on examining different perspectives and highlighting the injustices and inequality towards both sexes. The aim of the theory is to address social issues that affect women. However, it also aims at addressing irresponsible misidentifications and the over-emphasis on male perspectives in history. According to Jennifer Carlson, Raka, Ray and others (2018), feminist theory focuses on both gender inequality and different structures for men and women. We should be proud that as time goes by, the perspectives of both men and women become more equal. In the past, men and women thought of a woman as a weaker person with fewer rights and positions. They thought a female was just someone who could control household affairs. But people are more fair today. They no longer think of women as inferior to men. It shows they’re more than a typical housewife.
Feminist interpretation of “The Necklace”. The story behind “The Necklace”, reveals the men’s dominance over all women’s decisions. In the context of feminist theory, the story explores the relationship between the male and female power brokers. Mathilde, the protagonist of the novel, is described by the author as one charming and beautiful girl in town. Mathilde has a husband who is a clerk. She’s unhappy with the life she leads. She believed that her physical beauty made her a lucky woman. According to the tale, however, she’s not accomplished and isn’t wealthy. She was described in “The Necklace” as insubstantial, materialistic and lacking in wealth. This was all she wanted; she thought that she had been made for it. She lives in a patriarchal world where women’s rights are less than those of men. She plays the role that women have played in public for over 100 years: housewives.
Mathilde was raised in a patriarchal culture that influenced her personality and attitude. As a woman in a society that focuses on the power of men, Mathilde has very little control over her own life. Mrs. Loisel, as seen in the tale, thought wealth was determined by your luxurious possessions. She had jewelries of various sizes and diamonds that sparkled, and she wore elegant clothes to any event. As she declined her husband’s invitation to the play, she disliked wearing the dress she had worn the last night. She also refused his offer of her attending the party by wearing flowers. Mathilde is someone who is judging her appearance based on how many luxurious accessories she carries. Mathilde’s husband Monsieur Loisel has the exact opposite personality. He is contented with his small happiness and thankful for all he’s received. He has his wife, who controls him. Mathilde has no right to decide. Monsieur is in charge of everything that happens to them. Monsieur is the one that makes all the decisions in their marriage. For example, Monsieur told his wife Mathilde to tell a lie and say she broke the clasp on the diamond pendant, and he also instructed Mathilde to tell Madame Forestier he had not lost the necklace but only broken the clasp. Mathilde has no power in the marriage because the husband is the dominant person. She wants nothing more than to be rich and to wear the man’s shoes. A feminist, like me, believes that society previously viewed men and women in this way. It’s unfair and unequal. Mathilde obviously has no power and is at the mercy of Monsieur. She is not allowed to take any decision in their marriage or her own life.
ConclusionUsing a Feminist’s point of view, the story is about the importance of underrating the power of women. The story revolves around Monsieur’s insistence on control and his tireless efforts to replace the necklace. From my point of view, I believe that even a female can accomplish this. Even women can do what men can. Mathilde, however, is limited by the fact that she is a housewife and has no power over anything but her house. The story was a patriarchal one, and it just so happens that this is how the story ended.
