The term “feminism” refers to the ideologies, political and social movements that exist to achieve equal rights between women and men politically, socially, and economically. Feminist literary criticism began in the 1960’s during the second wave feminist movement that focused on voting rights, property rights, domestic violence, etc. Robertson Davies’s Fifth Business took place before the first wave feminist movement and is set from androcentric view which means a masculine point of view dominates culture and society. The book provides a very accurate representation of the exploitation and oppression of women in an early 1900’s patriarchal society. In the novel, characters such as Mary Dempster and Leola are seen possessing stereotypical characteristics
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In the first couple pages of the novel, Mary Dempster is portrayed as needing protection from a man. “Had her arm tucked in his and was leaning towards her in the protective way he had” (Davies 4). This quote is from when Mrs. Dempster was being held by her husband. Not only does this make the reader think that women are considered weak, but this gives off the typical idea that a woman relies on a man to be her protection. Throughout history, men were always expected to protect women from anything that could put them in danger, this could be due to the reason that the average man is stronger than a female physically and historically. Due to this ideology, people began to believe that women have no sense of dependence. Not only are women considered dependent on a man’s protection, they are seen as dependent on a man’s companionship intimately, Leola in particular. Once Dunstan comes back from war, he finds out Percy is engaged to Leola and is somewhat relieved and irritated at the same time. As the novel progresses, Leola realizes Percy does not want her anymore and neither does …show more content…
Mabel Heighington, a minor character, is judged and considered a “whore” because she had premarital sex with more than one person. In this time period, premarital sex was considered taboo as well as a moral issue mainly because of common religious beliefs. On the other hand, men are praised and given respect for having sex with one or more girls. “Some of the men thought Percy a young rip, but the Cece Athelstan crowd acclaimed him as one of themselves.” (Davies
In the first couple pages of the novel, Mary Dempster is portrayed as needing protection from a man. “Had her arm tucked in his and was leaning towards her in the protective way he had” (Davies 4). This quote is from when Mrs. Dempster was being held by her husband. Not only does this make the reader think that women are considered weak, but this gives off the typical idea that a woman relies on a man to be her protection. Throughout history, men were always expected to protect women from anything that could put them in danger, this could be due to the reason that the average man is stronger than a female physically and historically. Due to this ideology, people began to believe that women have no sense of dependence. Not only are women considered dependent on a man’s protection, they are seen as dependent on a man’s companionship intimately, Leola in particular. Once Dunstan comes back from war, he finds out Percy is engaged to Leola and is somewhat relieved and irritated at the same time. As the novel progresses, Leola realizes Percy does not want her anymore and neither does …show more content…
Mabel Heighington, a minor character, is judged and considered a “whore” because she had premarital sex with more than one person. In this time period, premarital sex was considered taboo as well as a moral issue mainly because of common religious beliefs. On the other hand, men are praised and given respect for having sex with one or more girls. “Some of the men thought Percy a young rip, but the Cece Athelstan crowd acclaimed him as one of themselves.” (Davies