Although 'The Yellow Wallpaper” and “A Great Day” may not be considered 'contemporary' they still alert the reader to social problems that are still relevant in today’s modern world. In 'The Yellow Wallpaper' (Charlotte Perkins Gilman) Jane faces the social problem of what it feels like to not meet her society’s expectations of femininity. In “A Great Day” Fred faces the social problem of what it feels like, again to not meet the expectations of masculinity in his society. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' was written in the late 19th century by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Jane in the text feels inadequate to her husband's sister who is the perfect housewife “She is a perfect and enthusiastic housekeeper, and hopes for no better profession.” During that
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Jane hates what is expected of her because she doesn't exactly want to be a mother. “It is fortunate Mary is so good with the baby. Such a dear baby! And yet I cannot be with him, it makes me so nervous.” The fact that she has a nurse for her baby and then she constantly has nerves around her child leads to the belief that she doesn't want motherhood, otherwise she would most likely be looking after her child herself. Jane would also much rather 'work' than be a housewife. She, much like the author, is an educated and intelligent woman, but by their society are not expected to use their brains. Jane is often not taken seriously by her husband who often belittles her. “John laughs at me, of course, but one expects that in marriage.” ““Bless her little heart!” said he said with a big hug, “she shall be as sick as she pleases!” 'And dear John gathered me up in his arms, and just carried me upstairs and laid me on the bed, and sat by me and read to me till it tired my head' The act of John carrying her to bed and reading to her till it 'it tired her head' makes Jane seem like a child or an infant …show more content…
'A Great Day' (Frank Sargeson) was written in the 1930's. Fred feels inadequate and the reader can see this as he compares himself with a man who appears to meet all these expectations. Fred sees himself as a 'small joker' leading to the fact that he is small and weak. He envies his friend Ken, who meets these expectations. “I wouldn't mind if I was a big hefty bloke like you.” “You realised how strong he was. He had only a shirt and a pair of shorts on, and his big body, hard with muscle, must have been over six feet long.” “And another thing, you’ve got education” Ken is seen by Fred, and by society as the perfect man, tall and strong with some sort of education behind him, while Fred doesn't. Fred ends up killing Ken out of envy which is then later to be revealed to the reader that is was more jealousy, because Fred really believed that Ken was a better man than he was based on the fact that Ken simply meet the expectations that were placed upon him. This is a social problem for Fred back in the 1930's and some men today are still faced with the problem of not meeting expectations for men. Men these days are still having low self esteem, because they aren't tall enough, or have enough muscle or don't make as much as their significant other. Even today, men are taking things to the extreme, like steroids or surgery, just so they can feel like
Jane hates what is expected of her because she doesn't exactly want to be a mother. “It is fortunate Mary is so good with the baby. Such a dear baby! And yet I cannot be with him, it makes me so nervous.” The fact that she has a nurse for her baby and then she constantly has nerves around her child leads to the belief that she doesn't want motherhood, otherwise she would most likely be looking after her child herself. Jane would also much rather 'work' than be a housewife. She, much like the author, is an educated and intelligent woman, but by their society are not expected to use their brains. Jane is often not taken seriously by her husband who often belittles her. “John laughs at me, of course, but one expects that in marriage.” ““Bless her little heart!” said he said with a big hug, “she shall be as sick as she pleases!” 'And dear John gathered me up in his arms, and just carried me upstairs and laid me on the bed, and sat by me and read to me till it tired my head' The act of John carrying her to bed and reading to her till it 'it tired her head' makes Jane seem like a child or an infant …show more content…
'A Great Day' (Frank Sargeson) was written in the 1930's. Fred feels inadequate and the reader can see this as he compares himself with a man who appears to meet all these expectations. Fred sees himself as a 'small joker' leading to the fact that he is small and weak. He envies his friend Ken, who meets these expectations. “I wouldn't mind if I was a big hefty bloke like you.” “You realised how strong he was. He had only a shirt and a pair of shorts on, and his big body, hard with muscle, must have been over six feet long.” “And another thing, you’ve got education” Ken is seen by Fred, and by society as the perfect man, tall and strong with some sort of education behind him, while Fred doesn't. Fred ends up killing Ken out of envy which is then later to be revealed to the reader that is was more jealousy, because Fred really believed that Ken was a better man than he was based on the fact that Ken simply meet the expectations that were placed upon him. This is a social problem for Fred back in the 1930's and some men today are still faced with the problem of not meeting expectations for men. Men these days are still having low self esteem, because they aren't tall enough, or have enough muscle or don't make as much as their significant other. Even today, men are taking things to the extreme, like steroids or surgery, just so they can feel like