sands + tbj themes
the female voice in relation to the male voice:
sense and sensibility:
marianne is silenced from 192-222 (lost her agency / suppression of identity)
elinor’s sense subdues her - conforms to society
margaret has no voice throughout the book, her life does not revolve around men therefore she is irrelevant?
the bell jar:
during her depression, esther is silenced and cannot write
her voice is constantly ignored by buddy (motherhood / wife ect)
reflection of female behaviour in society:
sense and sensibility:
elinor demonstrates proper society behaviour
marianne actively breaks conduct with willoughby
the bell jar:
esther is punished for not conforming to the american dream
joan’s suicide represents this too
powerful women = jay cee, philomeana guinea have full voice
gender stereotypes:
sense and sensibility:
value good conduct
woman’s goal is marriage - can achieve things via husband
the bell jar:
motherhood is of high importance
men are high enforces of this
internalised misogyny with the mother figures
control / oppression and submission:
sense and sensibility:
marianne’s ending shows submission to society
lucy is indoctrinated by a need for money
idea women have to marry - it is their duty
the bell jar:
cold war propaganda - ie: motherhood, domestic
men inflict their ideas onto women
the restriction of dr gordon (patriarchal medicine)
women in relation to other women:
sense and sensibility:
mother figures are incredibly enforcing of marriage
little loyalties, as it is a competition
the bell jar:
esther envies other women (betsy)
both mothers are very keen on her marrying
dr nolan is freeing
more focused on her romantic relationships rather than friends
motherhood:
sense and sensibility:
woman’s job
lady middleton - prizes herself on being a mother
only power / influence in society
the bell jar:
esther has a lack of connection to motherhood
lose control if she becomes a mother m
pities and views mothers as gross