First, the terms internalized sexism and misogyny are clarified, followed by the presentation of the social role of women with the help of passages from the novel and the sacrifices they have to make. This is followed by the treatment of Lily by other women, in which misogyny is once again placed as the main focus of the women’s actions. It is no secret that in the past (and partly even today) there has been no equal treatment and equality between men and women, which is the result of patriarchally led social and cultural structures and conventions. Women have always been subjected to fixed stereotypes and regulations that determine what a woman is allowed to do, how and what she is allowed to be.
It is usually assumed that men form obstacles, which is logical in that all these expectations of women stem from a patriarchal value system. However, women also (and especially) form these obstacles in societies and make it difficult for many women to develop themselves, for example. Edith Wharton, among others, takes up this theme in her works while using “stereotypes of
women purposefully to highlight the falsity of such categorising and to suggest the many deceptions and incongruities involved in accepting such ready-made conceptions of a woman's role in society”. The House of Mirth is about Lily Bart, who tries in vain to re-establish herself in upperclass society after the death of her financially ruined parents.
But as an unmarried and nonwealthy woman, this is not possible without a wealthy husband, which is why she must set out
in search of a suitable man, but unfortunately a number of obstacles come in the way, mainly posed by women. Lidoff aptly summarizes Lily’s end, “Lily dies at the novel’s end, destroyed by the tyranny of social manners” (Lidoff 520). Lily’s social relegation has several causes, but among them are (internalized) sexism and misogyny, which especially tempt other women to come between Lily and her goals. The aim of this essay is to show what social roles women had in the upper class society at the end of the 19th century and what a major role (internalized) sexism and misogyny play in Edith Wharton’s novel.
Table of Contents
- Internalized Sexism and Misogyny
- Social Role in Upper-Class Society of the Female and Her Sacrifices
- The Treatment of Lily by Other Women
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay analyzes Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth, exploring the social constraints faced by women in upper-class 19th-century society. It examines the roles of internalized sexism and misogyny in shaping women's lives and hindering Lily Bart's attempts to secure her social standing.
- Internalized sexism and misogyny among women.
- The limited social roles and expectations for women in upper-class society.
- The economic dependence of women on men for financial security.
- The impact of social pressures and expectations on women's lives.
- The portrayal of women's competition and the objectification of women.
Chapter Summaries
Internalized Sexism and Misogyny: This chapter defines internalized sexism and misogyny, differentiating between intentional and unintentional forms. It establishes that these harmful attitudes and behaviors originate not only from men but also from women themselves. The chapter utilizes scholarly sources to contextualize the concepts and introduces the framework for understanding their role in Wharton's novel, focusing particularly on competition between women and the objectification of women as key aspects for the following analysis.
Social Role in Upper-Class Society of the Female and Her Sacrifices: This chapter delves into the restrictive social roles of women in the upper class during the late 19th century. It discusses the concept of the "leisure class," highlighting how women's primary function was to display their husbands' wealth through consumption and social engagements rather than participating in productive labor. The chapter uses examples from The House of Mirth to illustrate how women were expected to sacrifice their own desires and identities to maintain their social standing and emphasizes women's financial dependence on men, illustrating the lack of economic independence for women in this social class. The chapter also introduces the theme of women's objectification, showing how their value is often reduced to their beauty and their ability to attract wealthy husbands.
The Treatment of Lily by Other Women: (Note: A summary for this chapter could be added here if the provided text contained sufficient information on this topic. The provided excerpt only mentions this chapter in the table of contents and does not offer substantial content for a summary.)
Keywords
Internalized sexism, misogyny, The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton, women's roles, upper-class society, 19th-century, social constraints, economic dependence, female objectification, competition among women.
Edith Wharton's *The House of Mirth*: A Research Preview - FAQ
What is this document?
This is a comprehensive preview of an academic essay analyzing Edith Wharton's novel, *The House of Mirth*. It provides the table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The information is intended for academic use, focusing on the themes of sexism, misogyny, and the constraints faced by women in 19th-century upper-class society.
What are the main themes explored in the essay?
The essay explores several key themes, including internalized sexism and misogyny among women, the limited social roles and expectations for women in upper-class society, the economic dependence of women on men, the impact of social pressures on women's lives, the portrayal of competition among women, and the objectification of women.
What are the key chapters discussed in the preview?
The preview summarizes three chapters: "Internalized Sexism and Misogyny," which defines and contextualizes these concepts within the novel; "Social Role in Upper-Class Society of the Female and Her Sacrifices," which examines the restrictive social roles and economic dependence of women in the upper class; and "The Treatment of Lily by Other Women," although a full summary is not yet available.
What is the focus of the "Internalized Sexism and Misogyny" chapter?
This chapter differentiates between intentional and unintentional forms of internalized sexism and misogyny, highlighting their origins in both men and women. It uses scholarly sources to establish a framework for understanding their role in shaping women's lives and interactions within the novel, particularly focusing on competition and objectification.
What does the "Social Role in Upper-Class Society of the Female and Her Sacrifices" chapter cover?
This chapter analyzes the restrictive social roles of women in the late 19th-century upper class, focusing on the "leisure class" and how women's primary function was seen as displaying their husbands' wealth. It emphasizes women's economic dependence on men and the sacrifices they were expected to make to maintain their social standing. The objectification of women based on beauty and their ability to attract wealthy husbands is also discussed.
What information is available about the "The Treatment of Lily by Other Women" chapter?
The preview only mentions this chapter in the table of contents. A full summary is not provided because the supplied text lacks sufficient detail on this topic.
What are the keywords associated with this essay?
Keywords include: Internalized sexism, misogyny, *The House of Mirth*, Edith Wharton, women's roles, upper-class society, 19th-century, social constraints, economic dependence, female objectification, competition among women.
What is the overall objective of the essay?
The essay aims to analyze the social constraints faced by women in upper-class 19th-century society as depicted in Edith Wharton's *The House of Mirth*, focusing on the roles of internalized sexism and misogyny in shaping their lives and hindering their social advancement.
- Quote paper
- Djenisa Osmani (Author), 2021, Internalized Sexism and Misogyny in Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth. The Social Role and the Treatment of Women, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1159952
