The Undying Spirit - Images of

A detailed Summary of The Undying Spirit - Images of

The wives of Images of Women in Literature have the common thread of a resilient independent spirit often despite any outward show of anything but obedience and humility. This spirit at times helps to sustain them while at other times only makes the compromises that their husbands and society place on them even harder to bear. Indeed, they would be happier not realizing that there are other choices and opportunities. It is often the conflict between their spirits and the circumstances of their lives that causes the greatest problems to them. It is truly amazing that this spirit survives!

It is not that unlikely for Mrs. James in Elizabeth Phelps' "The Angel over the Right Shoulder" to cultivate independence with an indulgent husband like Mr. James. Her spirit of independence is out in the open with her quest for some private time to improve her mind. The fact is that however willing Mr. James is to indulge her with some time to herself, he offers little in way of any practical help, much like the man of today. She suggests he "just follow me around for one day" when he dismisses all the work she does by telling her, "if you arranged your work systematically, you would find that you could command your time" (29-30). Inst

It is this same type of freedom of spirit that the bride in Alice Cary's poem "The Bridal Veil" talks about. If the sentiments expressed to us in this poem had been made clear to all the husbands in Images of Women in Literature there would be far fewer problems. She warns her new husband that he must continue to win her heart and that "you must grow to new heights if I love you tomorrow" (38). She tells him that she will honor the vows and maintain an outward appearance of obedience and faithfulness, but unless he continues to earn her love she will know it and "keeping in body with you, shall walk in my spirit with feet on the dew" (39). She wants him to know that the way he treats her will determine if she loves and honors him or merely obeys him. She tells him the kind of wife she becomes is up to him by saying, "I am yours for my lifetime, to be what you make me" (39). She prays their love will last, but knows she will always maintain her free spirit no matter what will happen. She says, "I have wings flattened down and hid under my veil: They are subtle as light - you can never undo them" (39).

Panna, from "A Wife's Story" by Bharati Mukherjee, has freedom for her spirit of independence to flourish and grow while she is attending college in America (58). Her conflict appears to be not so much with her husband, but with the traditional way of life he represents. In fact although their marriage was a traditional one, there is at least respect and friendship between her and her husband. "Affection, love. Who can tell the difference in a traditional marriage" (63). And when her husband vacations in New York she thinks, "This has to be love" (65). But the thought of giving up her new found freedom and returning to India and their traditional life-style where the woman's role is only as support for her husband is not one Panna relishes. When her husband says, "I've come to take you back" she thinks, "I feel dread all the same" (68). It is easy to believe that even after she returns to India and is not able to allow any outward show of independence, a part of her will always remain free. As she stands in front of the mirror, she thinks, "I stand here shameless, in ways he has never seen me. I am free, afloat, watching somebody else" (69).

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Approximate Word count = 1817
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English