Welcome to Literary Representations: Representations of Women and Men

Hello! This chapter is all about one of the most exciting areas in advanced English Literature: exploring how writers create and present characters based on their gender. Don't worry if this sounds complex; we're essentially asking: How does this piece of writing show us what it thinks women and men are like?

Understanding Representations of Women/Men is crucial because literature doesn't just mirror the world; it shapes how we view it. By studying this, you gain powerful critical insight, which is key to succeeding in Unit 4.

Key Takeaway from the Syllabus

Remember, the syllabus defines Representation as "the process of showing a view of the world, rather than the actual world itself." Your goal is to analyze the author's view and the techniques they use to present it.

1. Defining Literary Representation and Gender

Before we dive into specific gender roles, we need to be crystal clear on the central term.

What is Representation in Literature?

A representation is a deliberate choice made by the author to construct an image, idea, or character.

  • It is a construct: The character is built from words, dialogue, actions, and description.
  • It is a viewpoint: The author presents a perspective. This view might reflect the society they lived in, challenge it, or offer a completely new way of seeing gender.
  • Analogy: Imagine a photographer taking a picture of a house. The house is the reality. But the photographer (the author) chooses the lighting, the angle, and the filter. The resulting photo is the representation.
Gender Roles and Expectations

When analyzing gender, you must consider the social and historical context that shaped the expectations placed upon men and women at the time the text was written.

For example, a woman represented in a 19th-century novel will likely face very different restrictions and expectations than a woman in a 21st-century novel.

Quick Review: The Core Question

When studying a text, always ask: What does this text teach us about what it means to be a woman or a man in this fictional world?


2. Analysing Representations of Women

In literature, representations of women often center on their proximity to power, their relationships (as daughters, wives, or mothers), and their compliance with or rejection of societal norms.

Common Stereotypical Representations

Authors often use, or deliberately subvert, easily recognisable types:

  1. The Angel in the House: The virtuous, passive, domestic woman who is pure and devoted to her family. (Think of characters whose sole purpose is to be morally good or victims.)
  2. The Fallen Woman/Femme Fatale: The dangerous, sexual, or rebellious woman who brings ruin to herself or others. (Often presented as a threat to male order, like Lady Macbeth or some tragic heroines.)
  3. The Passive Victim: A woman defined only by the suffering inflicted upon her, often lacking agency (the ability to act independently).
How to Spot Complexity (Moving Beyond Stereotypes)

The most rewarding analysis comes when you find women who defy simple categorisation.

  • Agency: Look for moments where the female character makes a crucial decision, even if the consequences are tragic (e.g., Hedda Gabler choosing suicide over submission).
  • Internal Conflict: Does the character struggle between what she wants and what society demands? (This often makes her a complex tragic figure.)
  • Dialogue and Voice: Does she speak often? Does her dialogue reflect intelligence or power, or is she silenced or spoken about by men?

Memory Aid: The 3 P’s for Women
When analysing a female character, check her connection to:
1. Possession: Is she treated as property or defined by the men who possess her?
2. Performance: Does she have to perform a specific social role (e.g., the perfect wife)?
3. Power: Does she wield any influence, even if hidden or subversive?

Did you know?

In classical literature, powerful female figures who acted outside domestic roles (like witches or vengeful goddesses) were often used to symbolise chaos or disorder, reinforcing the idea that women belonged in the home for society to function correctly.

3. Analysing Representations of Men

Representations of men focus heavily on power, public life, duty, and the concept of masculinity. The tragic hero (relevant if you are studying Unit 1) is a prime example of a complex, often flawed representation of manhood.

Common Expectations and Roles
  1. The Patriarch/Authority Figure: The man who holds institutional, social, or familial power (fathers, rulers, businessmen). Their identity is often linked to their status.
  2. The Stoic Provider: The man who is expected to be unemotional, strong, and financially responsible. Literature often explores the destructive pressure this puts on them (e.g., Death of a Salesman).
  3. The Hero/Warrior: The character defined by physical prowess, honour, and action.
Exploring Masculinity (The Complexities)

Good literature challenges these expectations. Look for:

  • Vulnerability and Emotion: Does the male character hide his true feelings? Is he ridiculed or punished when he shows sadness, fear, or vulnerability?
  • Toxic Masculinity: This term describes rigid, traditional concepts of male behaviour that restrict the expression of emotions and promote dominance and aggression. How does the text critique this, if at all?
  • Failure and Humiliation: Since men are often represented as powerful, their failure or loss of status is frequently central to tragedy or drama. How does the text represent a man dealing with a loss of identity?

Common Mistake to Avoid: Assuming a tragic hero (like Lear or Othello) is simply "evil" or "good." Their representation is often defined by their struggle to live up to the impossible standards of heroic masculinity, leading to their tragic downfall.

4. Literary Methods: How Representations Are Created

You cannot analyse *what* a representation is without analysing *how* the author built it. This links directly to your core literary analysis skills.

A. Language and Diction

The actual words used tell us everything about the represented gender.

  • Descriptive Adjectives: Are women described using terms related to beauty, fragility, or morality (e.g., 'delicate,' 'pure,' 'hysterical')? Are men described with terms related to strength, intelligence, or action (e.g., 'firm,' 'resolute,' 'ambitious')?
  • Symbolism and Imagery: What objects or metaphors are associated with the characters? (A woman associated with birds or flowers suggests confinement/beauty; a man associated with the sea or a fortress suggests power/isolation.)
  • Dialogue: Who speaks more? Who is interrupted? Do men use authoritative or declarative language while women use hesitant or polite language?
B. Structure and Narrative Voice

The way the story is told fundamentally shapes the representation.

  • Narrative Perspective: Is the story told by a male narrator, a female narrator, or an omniscient third party? A male-dominated narration often privileges male perspectives and biases the representation of women.
  • Stage Time/Page Length: Do female characters disappear for long periods? Are they only present when relating to a male protagonist? Limited presence often signals limited significance within the patriarchal structure of the text's world.
  • Subplots: If a sub-plot focuses on a female character, how does her journey mirror or contrast the main male narrative?
C. Contextual Influence (The Author's Time)

While you don't need extensive outside knowledge, linking the representation back to the author's social environment is necessary.

For instance, if a 17th-century writer (like Webster) represents a powerful, independent woman (The Duchess of Malfi), her ultimate violent demise might represent the contemporary societal fear and punishment of female autonomy. The tragic outcome is a commentary on her representation.

Key Takeaway for Analysis

To write an excellent essay on representation, combine the What (e.g., This woman is represented as powerless) with the How (e.g., because the author uses limiting adjectives, places her constantly in domestic settings, and silences her through the use of an authoritative male narrator).

Good luck with your studies! Remember, literary representation is all about noticing the choices the writer made and explaining why those choices matter. You have the critical skills to do this!