A Study of Irony -Mary Mabel Youman

In the article, "Nella Larson's Passing: A study of Irony" Mary Mabel Youman looks at Nella Larson's Passing with particular interest on iront and focuses on class not race..  The author begins by acknowledging Irene Redfield as both the protagonist and also the narrator of the novel.  Youman focuses primarily on Irene and how she herself is passing. She argues from Irene’s perspective, what is motivating her to pass is not race, but class.  It is interesting because Irene, herself, has adopted very different values, “security, middle class morality, and middle class standing,” and at all costs will do anything to protect them.  It is her who,“has lost her Black heritage of spontaneity, freedom from convention and zest for life” (Youman 337).  Youman also compares Irene to Clare by examining the letter that is sent at the beginning of the novel.  The letter is described in great detail most likely leaving many readers confused but to Youman the details of the letter have a greater meaning.  She believes that it is one of the ultimate comparisons of Irene and Clare, the letter type and size in her opinion demonstrates Clare’s “zest for life and means to flaunt the conventions that restrict her”  (Youman 338).  To Youman, this posed as a threat to Irene secure life and as a result she has to tragically end Clare's life. For Youman the problem arises in the "vagueness of the desirable black spirit" (Youman 338). In Youman's opinion, the novel is "disconcertingly vague on what should be joyously embraced" (Youman 340).

Although Youman makes a compelling argument, I believe that in many ways she is reading too deep into the text.  One way in particular with the details surrounding the letter Clare sent Irene at the beginning of the novel.  To Youman, the attention to details about the letter, the type of paper, the envelope, the size actually all share a symbolic meaning.  She argues that these minor details demonstrate Clare’s ambitious, “zest for life and means to flaunt the conventions that might restrict her” (Youman 338).  As a reader, as I read this part of the novel I did pay attention to the letter but in my opinion that was not the message that was supposed to be conveyed.

Another argument that she makes is the idea of Irene rejecting and abandoning her “black life” (Youman 337). The impression that I had of Irene Redfield was not that of someone who wanted to separate herself from her heritage but I saw her as a strong, secure African American woman.  Her lifestyle is that of someone who truly believes in her African American heritage although she is wealthy, she raises money and hosts several events for local Harlem organizations.  To me it is Clare who obviously abandoned her culture, while Irene embraces it.

The irony that Youman presents a thought-provoking interpretation of the text.  Although I do not entirely agree with her arguments ultimately I can see how it came about.  As I was reading the text I focused almost entirely on the issue of racial identity and conflict but now I can see how class is an important issue as well. Youman’s argument that opposing values that were threatening to the middle class lifestyle Irene had, had to be destroyed.  Brian’s ambition to work abroad posed a threat to the lifestyle Irene had become accustomed to so it could not happen. 

Summer

The majority of 18th century women, especially those in rural areas, had few choices when it came to their future. Marriage and motherhood were the choices available to most women, in the rural places particularly that Wharton writes. The novel is a coming to age story of Charity Royall, a young, poor uneducated girl living in rural town of North Dormer, New England.  After the wife of Mr. Royall dies, Charity continues living with Mr. Royall always dependent on him for her survival. Although some people in the community think Charity should be sent to the nearest town to get an education, Charity doesn’t go because lawyer Royall was a “dreadfully lonesome man” whom Charity can’t leave alone (Wharton 15). The patriarchy of the society puts his needs before Charity’s; she remains poor and uneducated, always dependent on someone. More than anything else, Summer is the story of a young woman’s realization of sexuality. At the beginning of the novel, Charity is completely inexperienced when it comes to men. Harney is the first man Charity feels an interest in, and as she spends time with him her feelings change and develop. Charity’s sexuality demonstrates more than her choice to be with Harney but it is the only power she has ever known. Wharton uses the suggested images of Charity’s sexuality, such as flowers and nature, along with symbolism in names and strong images of doors and mirrors, to critique small town New England society and the lack of options and freedom that it provided to all people. Although she is initially portrayed as a strong character, Charity’s life is ruled ultimately by the men around her.  Charity yearns for a better life than the one she lives in her small town, but gender roles and society prevent her from realizing her dreams. 

Blog 1

In What can a Heroine Do? Joanna Russ explores the idea of patriarchy and dominant, male culture. What she is focusing on is that American culture has historically been shaped around a male viewpoint.  Women, according the Russ have their own culture that is “underground, unofficial, minor culture” (Russ 81).  Restrictions and expectations of how males and females are represented in literature are maintained by culture.  Writers are forced to represent women as mere supporting characters to the main character, a man.  Women writers are strongly encouraged to incorporate myths into their literature that is widely accepted, but Russ suggests that these “she-writers” create their own myths and not use old ones. 

InYellow Wallpaper, Charlotte Perkins Gilman tells the story of a woman suffering from depression.  Advised by her husband to rest, the restless woman finds herself obsessed with the wallpaper that decorates the room which she is confined in. The woman notes that the room is geared more towards incarceration than rehabilitation.  Gilman, like many female writers of that time (19th century) examines the role of women in American society.  Gilman discusses the idea of being secondary as a woman.  What is noticeable about all of the readings discussed is that each of these women despite cultural and economic backgrounds, share feelings of oppression and voicelessness. Similar to Jackson, Cixous believes that through feminine writing, women are given a voice.  Like Ross, Cixous argues that it is the responsibility of women to write about their experiences and represent themselves. Gilman and Jackson are both members of the dominant, majority culture, yet both feel that because of their gender they belong to the minority, muted group.  

New beginnings

“Every artist was once an amateur,” thus here we are:

I am beginning this blog because of a Women Studies class I am enrolled in this semester that I will learn about issues pertinent to women and about gender issues shaping the lives of men and women today, in which it is a requirement to provide my interpretation on the readings in class. It is shameful that it took a course of such a nature for me to finally have the gumption to share my thoughts and feelings with others outside of my internal and external circle of significant others. I mean, I have a tumblr but ya know, I really just use it to post photographs and little tid bits that resonate with me in the moment. But nonetheless, here I am…ready to maximize my breadth and reach those I have yet to cross paths with in a memorable way. 

My interests are actually pretty broad, ever since I was young I have always been interested in people with disabilities and the rights they have.  The older I get the more involved I hope to become in protecting those rights. I'm really not that much of a reader which is weird because I work in a library! My all time favorite author is Toni Morrison so I was ecstatic when I saw that we are reading Jazz this semester!  Therefore I would love to work with her text or Jasmine (I've heard awesome things about this book!)

I am blogging, SERIOUSLY, for the first time and I hope my messages are transparent, relevant, and relatable to all who may read.