I Won Im Sorry By Mariah Burton Nelson Analysis

In the article, “I won, I’m Sorry”, Mariah Burton Nelson uses an anecdote to begin her article. Sylvia Plath’s attitude, in this anecdote, focuses on conforming to men in order to make them feel comfortable and superior. This is because the anecdote describes the way women will underscore themselves in order to fit into society’s definition of how a woman should behave. Burton Nelson then shifts to write about women in sports and how these female athletes modify their behavior to fit into their traditional gender roles. In order to frame her article, Mariah Burton Nelson uses the anecdote about the poet, Sylvia Plath, in order to show how women conform as a means to fit into gender expectations. This is seen through her mother’s description …show more content…
Plath’s mother introduces Sylvia as a non-confrontational woman to demonstrate submission. This is seen through Plath’s reaction towards her husband’s, Ted Hughes, book being accepted first, while using the quote, “I am so happy that HIS book is accepted FIRST. It will make it so much easier for me when mine is accepted”. The use of the this quote gives the reader insight of Sylvia’s thinking process and desire to be free from confrontation. The words HIS and FIRST are put in capital letters to express Plath’s delight that her husband’s book will be published first, making it easier for her to accept her accomplishment when her book is accepted. This is further proved as the reader can assume that Plath is confident about her book’s acceptance, despite not having direct proof. This confidence shows that she was not worried about the success of her book, but rather the reaction her husband would have had, if his book was not accepted first. This description, of Sylvia Plath, allows the reader to understand that women will often conform to men, putting the success of a male partner over their