A Sorrowful Woman: Theme of Female Roles
The human experience is one that is universal. Whether it be an individual journey or a collective occurrence, it has the capacity to unite us despite our differences. Thus, the common module ultimately assists us in comprehending what it means to be human. To take experiences of pain or joy and convey this to others. In this way, storytelling and literature play a large part by reflecting upon certain lessons, which fundamentally underpin the human experience. A Sorrowful Woman theme is the main topic of this essay that is going to be discussed.
Gail Godwin’s 1976 short story, A Sorrowful Woman, is the story of a woman who becomes overwhelmed with her duties as a wife and mother. This results in her alienation and an estranged relationship with her family. The story is told in the form of an ironic fable, opening with “Once Upon a Time”. This provides the illusion of a cheerful ending, however, it is averted as the story ends woefully.
The sleeping draught given to the mother by her husband, daily, in the confines of her room is allegorical to the suppression women were subjected to. Despite how indulgent her husband was, it was ultimately his concern and the lack of opportunities for the mother that resulted in this depressive episode. In addition, Godwin adopts the use of seasonal symbolism in order to vividly express ideas of the family’s experience. The story begins during the winter and ironically ends in the spring with the mother’s suicide. Her death is a stark contrast to the sensations of rebirth and renewal associated with spring. This also implies that the mother’s death may have been what was best for herself and the family. Furthermore, the concluding line conveys the bleak societal expectations imposed on women. The son is unaware of the sacrifices made by his mother, and this is reflective of the misogynistic elements evident within our society.
Through powerful language and storytelling Godwin is able to capture the importance of identity and the consequences that arise from pertaining to traditional female roles. The female character in A Sorrowful Woman, however, is by no means diminished or kept back. This is unlike the world of Dobson where the women are underprivileged due to societal flaws.
Ultimately, in A Sorrowful Woman presents the complexities of the human experience by depicting the struggle for women to reconcile familial obligations and personal freedoms. Thus, the module enables us to widen our perspectives through the sharing of diverse experiences and the emotions that arise. By exploring the elements to what makes us human, we are able to connect with the concepts and concerns in the world of literature.
