In the past, and even now in the present, the majority of societies around the world are labeled as patriarchal civilizations. These patriarchal societies are partially categorized as this considering that most are run and lead by the men in the community. While there are differences between the specificity of the ideology, the majority of self-proclaimed feminists agree that, “Western culture is fundamentally patriarchal, creating an imbalance of power that marginalizes women and their work” (Dobie 104). The feminist critique seeks to point out the patriarchal attitude and the inequality between men and women in literature relating to psychological, political, economic, and social aspects of a work. Edna O’Brien addresses the inequality between
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Reinhardt and her husband. The first encounter is described after Mr. Reinhardt comes home from the bar. O’Brien explains that “once that spring he had pulled her down beside him on the living-room sofa and stroked her thighs and started to undress her within hearing distance of Fatima, who was in the kitchen chopping and singing” (O’Brien 16). The word choice of saying he “pulled her down” suggests that her husband was controlling this situation and she merely went along with his advances. Furthermore, the mention of Fatima within hearing distance demonstrates that Mrs. Reinhardt was self-aware of the fact that their maid was close enough to be able to hear the actions of her husband and herself and was uncomfortable by the fact. The lack of dialogue proposes that Mrs. Reinhardt was fearful of disagreeing with her husband and displays his power over her. Another instance is in the dream that she has about her sexual encounter with her husband. The description of this encounter says that he “took possession of her with such force that afterward she suspected she had a broken rib” (O’Brien 19). Many women describe their longing for physical intimacy to be gentle and relational. However, after expressing her desire to be intimate with her husband once again, she dreams of a sexual encounter with her husband that is rough and controlling. She has been
Reinhardt and her husband. The first encounter is described after Mr. Reinhardt comes home from the bar. O’Brien explains that “once that spring he had pulled her down beside him on the living-room sofa and stroked her thighs and started to undress her within hearing distance of Fatima, who was in the kitchen chopping and singing” (O’Brien 16). The word choice of saying he “pulled her down” suggests that her husband was controlling this situation and she merely went along with his advances. Furthermore, the mention of Fatima within hearing distance demonstrates that Mrs. Reinhardt was self-aware of the fact that their maid was close enough to be able to hear the actions of her husband and herself and was uncomfortable by the fact. The lack of dialogue proposes that Mrs. Reinhardt was fearful of disagreeing with her husband and displays his power over her. Another instance is in the dream that she has about her sexual encounter with her husband. The description of this encounter says that he “took possession of her with such force that afterward she suspected she had a broken rib” (O’Brien 19). Many women describe their longing for physical intimacy to be gentle and relational. However, after expressing her desire to be intimate with her husband once again, she dreams of a sexual encounter with her husband that is rough and controlling. She has been