During the 1950s, women and men were under immense pressure to conform to traditional gender roles. Women were expected to stay home and tend to the children, while men were expected to be the breadwinners. Unlike men, women were expected to remain a virgin until they marry, and when they do they must not indulge in any sexual desires outside the marriage, and any sexual act with their husband is for the sole purpose of procreation. The idea of conforming to these gender roles stemmed from the constant reinforced messages in popular culture. However, not all Americans conformed to these norms. Sylvia Plath, an American poet, novelist and short story writer, rebelled against the cultural norms by being a working woman in society. In 1963, Plath
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Esther originally did not know this path exists until she met Dr. Nolan at the hospital she has been emitted to. The path Dr. Nolan represents is not a common one in society, however, it gives Esther the flexibility to both rebel and conforms to society. Esther says, “This woman was a cross between Myrna Loy and my mother. She wore a white blouse and a full skirt gathered at the waist by a wide leather belt, and stylish, crescent-shaped spectacles” (153). Myrna Loy is an American actress and dancer who appeared in many silent films and a mother; Esther’s mother is a secretary and a mother. Both women work and have a family. The descriptive details Esther uses when explaining Dr. Nolan’s outfit shows how Esther is fascinated by her. Esther is focusing on her ability to be feminine and a boss, like a man. Femininity is a symbol which is significant to Esther because it represents one of the qualities society says an “ideal” women should have. Dr. Nolan also possesses other qualities that an “ideal” woman must have such as empathy. When Esther is scared to receive electroshock therapy Dr. Nolan cared for Ether, “Doctor Nolan put her arm around me and hugged me like a mother” (173). The use of simile gives Esther the ability to compare Dr. Nolan, working women, to a mother. The comparison shows how Esther does not have to pick one path, she can be both. By becoming a working woman and a mother, Esther
Esther originally did not know this path exists until she met Dr. Nolan at the hospital she has been emitted to. The path Dr. Nolan represents is not a common one in society, however, it gives Esther the flexibility to both rebel and conforms to society. Esther says, “This woman was a cross between Myrna Loy and my mother. She wore a white blouse and a full skirt gathered at the waist by a wide leather belt, and stylish, crescent-shaped spectacles” (153). Myrna Loy is an American actress and dancer who appeared in many silent films and a mother; Esther’s mother is a secretary and a mother. Both women work and have a family. The descriptive details Esther uses when explaining Dr. Nolan’s outfit shows how Esther is fascinated by her. Esther is focusing on her ability to be feminine and a boss, like a man. Femininity is a symbol which is significant to Esther because it represents one of the qualities society says an “ideal” women should have. Dr. Nolan also possesses other qualities that an “ideal” woman must have such as empathy. When Esther is scared to receive electroshock therapy Dr. Nolan cared for Ether, “Doctor Nolan put her arm around me and hugged me like a mother” (173). The use of simile gives Esther the ability to compare Dr. Nolan, working women, to a mother. The comparison shows how Esther does not have to pick one path, she can be both. By becoming a working woman and a mother, Esther