The "woman question" was not born when Eve ate the apple; no, it all began when Eve was created-second. God can't be at fault for the "woman question"; after all, men wrote the bible. A man wrote a story about creation: Man is born first and is given life by the Almighty. Woman is born second and is give life by the Almighty and from the rib of the first man. Hence, woman could not have existed without man. The shortcomings of females began early on and have persisted throughout the history of this world even into present day. The subordinate status of woman is based primarily on her supposed inferior intellect; because woman is less intelligent than man is, she should be submissive to and dependent on the superior gender. Additionally, a woman should have attributes that are considered to be feminine: "tenderness of understanding, unwordliness and innocence, domestic affection, and, in various degrees, submissiveness." 1(1719). Women and men alike of England began to!

question gender-specific roles during the 19th century. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Alfred Lord Tennyson and Robert Browning were prominent authors during the Victorian Era who voiced thei

woman's place is further explored in the death of the Lady:

Producing what? A pair of slippers, sir,

In his "The Lady of Shallot", Alfred Lord Tennyson creates a female character who represents the embowered woman of the 19th century. The Lady is ideal in all aspects. The purpose of her dwelling, which Tennyson describes as "Four gray walls, and four gray towers," is to protect her from the world. Tennyson may, however, be pointing out that the walls and towers confine and isolate the Lady. Tennyson also employs several other symbols to represent that traditional role of women in society. One of these symbols is the Lady weaving "A magic web with color's gay" (1205). Weaving is a traditional activity a woman could do to keep her hands busy. Inherent in the context of this activity is the attitude that women have nothing better to do than keep their hands busy; by not being idle, a woman is less likely to think or to cause trouble. The mirror, in line 65, is also a symbol. It is only through the mirror that the Lady perceives the world. Therefore, she sees the world!

r opinions on the gender debate through poetry and persona.

early portraying Victorian England's attitude on women through his persona. However, the death of the Duchess makes Browning's personal opinion on women unclear. The Duke "gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together" (1353). This passage indicates a warning to the audience that the Duke will not tolerate a woman who is not submissive to him. Therefore, a woman's place is behind man, serving man and never testing the wrath of man.

d-lieutenant looking down sometimes...The apothecary looked on once a year..." (1181). These male, authority figures feel it is their duty as Christians and, more importantly, as men to look upon the aunt who has no man in her life to take care of her. Leigh's aunt does not object to the men fathering her, but instead, "exercised her Christian gifts/ of knitting stockings..." and continues to fill her female role in a males' society (1181). Aurora perceives her aunt's traditional role playing as "A sort of caged bird life..." and describes herself as, "A wild bird scarcely fledged," who was "brought to her cage..." (1182). Perhaps Browning employs the bird metaphor to invoke sympathy in the reader for Aurora Leigh. By doing so, the reader develops sympathy for the advancement of women in society. Also, in portraying Aurora's aunt in a negative fashion, the aunt's opinion becomes less credible. For instance, the aunt hates Aurora's "Tuscan mother who had fooled away/ A wise man fr!

in an ideal, mediated way. The mirror also may suggest that it is a second-hand world for women. The Lady seems as though she is content in her mediocre life, until Lancelot rides by. Perha

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1875
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)