Just a few days ago, International Women 's Day was celebrated by many on March 8. It was time to recognize the improvements made toward gender equality over the years; yet, it was also a reminder of the progress that still needs to be made. Despite some progress made for women 's rights, the 1950s was decade, which experienced a setback in employment equality. It was the era of the “happy homemaker,” a time where women were encouraged to give up their jobs for the returning veterans of World War II, and devote themselves to their husband and children. The proper wife was to do things such as put on make-up and her best dress before their husband came home from work, as after a long day at work, the husband deserved to be served, and the
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She caters to him frequently and does not seem to mind her duties; she cleans his clothes in the river, cooks him meals, and pleasures him frequently with sex. Furthermore, she even refers to herself as “your woman.” The narrator finds this pleasing saying, “...I found in this reiteration of the possessive a firmness of concept, an exactitude of definition, which the word “wife” never gave me. Your woman was an affirmation that preceded all agreement, all sacraments” (180). Her devotion to him is perhaps why after knowing Rosario for only six weeks, he wants to marry her and is so deeply hurt when she refuses; his dream of the perfect housewife is shattered. In the 1950s, the man was supposed to be superior, being the center of the woman 's life. He is saddened that this will not be the case, and it is evident when he says, “and yet I felt humiliated, reduced to a level of annoying inferiority, because now it was I who wanted to marry her” (226). However, now that he feels loved and cared about, he is content and willing to look over the marriage factor. His almost perfect woman is why he longs to stay in the jungle and why he is so angry with Ruth for pulling him out. Thus, in The Lost Steps, while music is considered the driving force of the novel, woman played a major role in the narrator 's journey as well. Their independence and failure to cater to him leads to his dissatisfaction, and contributes to his actions throughout the
She caters to him frequently and does not seem to mind her duties; she cleans his clothes in the river, cooks him meals, and pleasures him frequently with sex. Furthermore, she even refers to herself as “your woman.” The narrator finds this pleasing saying, “...I found in this reiteration of the possessive a firmness of concept, an exactitude of definition, which the word “wife” never gave me. Your woman was an affirmation that preceded all agreement, all sacraments” (180). Her devotion to him is perhaps why after knowing Rosario for only six weeks, he wants to marry her and is so deeply hurt when she refuses; his dream of the perfect housewife is shattered. In the 1950s, the man was supposed to be superior, being the center of the woman 's life. He is saddened that this will not be the case, and it is evident when he says, “and yet I felt humiliated, reduced to a level of annoying inferiority, because now it was I who wanted to marry her” (226). However, now that he feels loved and cared about, he is content and willing to look over the marriage factor. His almost perfect woman is why he longs to stay in the jungle and why he is so angry with Ruth for pulling him out. Thus, in The Lost Steps, while music is considered the driving force of the novel, woman played a major role in the narrator 's journey as well. Their independence and failure to cater to him leads to his dissatisfaction, and contributes to his actions throughout the