Written in 1915 by feminist Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Herland is a turn-of-the-century feminist utopian fiction about an all female society discovered by three male travelers in an isolated part of South America. Van, Terry, and Jeff come to discover the highly advanced civilization of Herland and can’t seem to believe that no men live there;after over a year of living with the women, both Van and Jeff come to see and respect the value of true womanhood, but Terry fails to abandon his patriarchal ignorance.Throughout the novel, Gilman highlights a variety of institutions that are imperative inshaping women’s identity, both then and today, including law and government, education, sexuality and motherhood, and religion. However, despite creating
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In order to fully depict a feminist utopia, Gilman directly contrasts structures in“our” world, as she attributes it to the depressed status of women. Economically, Herlandcan be viewed as a socialist economy, replacing the social structures of competition andself-preservation with those of community and equality of outcome; “they were sisters, and as they grew, they grew together—not by competition, but by united action” (Gilman, 62). Further, Gilman’s feminist utopia incorporates a religion centered on the sanctity of motherhood and Mother Nature. The women view their “Goddess of Motherhood” as a sacred being who watches over all, emphasizing the nurturing, loving spirit of Herland’s women (Gilman, pg.58). This depiction of the religion in Herland directly contrasts the common image of a judging, harsh patriarchal “Big Man” in Western religion, and also underlies this religionas the cause of many wars in “our” society (Gilman, 115). Additionally, the personification of the Goddess of Herland as a “mother” reflects their community’s sanctity of motherhood, whereas in “our” society motherhood is an undervalued jobdespite its essentialness to procreation. Most importantly, the rejection of tradition in Herland clearly reflects the betterment of the society.As the women of Herland continued to teach …show more content…
Despite Gilman’s historical efforts in expediting the feminist movement during her time, she neglects to incorporate race as a key component inHerland. During the late 19th and early 20th century, the first-wave of feminism took place, led by women who were predominantly white, from Western Europe and North America. Although there was a notable connection between the Abolitionist Movement and the Suffragist Movement, it was not until the second wave of feminism that voices of women of color began to be heard (Shehan, Slide 2, 8/29/17). Unfortunately, Gilman portraysmuch evidence of racial intolerance in Herland, as her book was written when race relations were considered some of the worse following the American Civil War. Forexample, Van portrays his fondness for the women of Herland by saying, “...and there is no doubt in my mind thatthese people were of Aryan stock, and were once in contact with the best civilization of the old
In order to fully depict a feminist utopia, Gilman directly contrasts structures in“our” world, as she attributes it to the depressed status of women. Economically, Herlandcan be viewed as a socialist economy, replacing the social structures of competition andself-preservation with those of community and equality of outcome; “they were sisters, and as they grew, they grew together—not by competition, but by united action” (Gilman, 62). Further, Gilman’s feminist utopia incorporates a religion centered on the sanctity of motherhood and Mother Nature. The women view their “Goddess of Motherhood” as a sacred being who watches over all, emphasizing the nurturing, loving spirit of Herland’s women (Gilman, pg.58). This depiction of the religion in Herland directly contrasts the common image of a judging, harsh patriarchal “Big Man” in Western religion, and also underlies this religionas the cause of many wars in “our” society (Gilman, 115). Additionally, the personification of the Goddess of Herland as a “mother” reflects their community’s sanctity of motherhood, whereas in “our” society motherhood is an undervalued jobdespite its essentialness to procreation. Most importantly, the rejection of tradition in Herland clearly reflects the betterment of the society.As the women of Herland continued to teach …show more content…
Despite Gilman’s historical efforts in expediting the feminist movement during her time, she neglects to incorporate race as a key component inHerland. During the late 19th and early 20th century, the first-wave of feminism took place, led by women who were predominantly white, from Western Europe and North America. Although there was a notable connection between the Abolitionist Movement and the Suffragist Movement, it was not until the second wave of feminism that voices of women of color began to be heard (Shehan, Slide 2, 8/29/17). Unfortunately, Gilman portraysmuch evidence of racial intolerance in Herland, as her book was written when race relations were considered some of the worse following the American Civil War. Forexample, Van portrays his fondness for the women of Herland by saying, “...and there is no doubt in my mind thatthese people were of Aryan stock, and were once in contact with the best civilization of the old