Once upon a time, not so very long ago, women had no place within the pages of fiction. Indeed, men were usually the sole creators of literature; women, on the other hand, were silent (those few women who did choose to write were often forced to use a male pseudonym in order to be taken seriously). Oppressed and restricted, females -- in reality as well as literature -- were unable to find themselves due to the limited options given to them. Although many writers attempted to portray female characters, the women's roles were usually insignificant and unrealistic. Furthermore, until the mid-twentieth century, the women in most literature were quiet, weak, and dependent upon others in order to survive. However, several writers were able to accurately portray the plight of women during the time of their writing. Emily Bronte, Wilkie Collins, and Charles Dickens are three significant authors who managed to overcome the preconceived stereotypes of women. Indeed, several of the female characters in Wuthering Heights, The Moonstone, and Hard Times prove to be strong, resilient women. Yet despite these qualities, the female characters are nevertheless trapped in a world that does not respect them; therefore, they often succumb to the pressures of society.
[...] Even the most captured woman guards the place of the wildish self, for she knows intuitively that someday there will be a loophole, an aperture, a chance, and she will hightail it to escape.” -Clarissa Pinkola Estes The character of Louisa in Charles Dickens' novel Hard Times is also pressured to marry someone she does not love. Louisa is a true product of her environment; she longs to wonder, but has been taught not to and, therefore, she does not. [...]
[...] Then red is the color of blood-loss rather than blood- life.” -Clarissa Pinkola Estes The character of Isabella in Wuthering Heights is not a major one; her voice is primarily heard through her letters to her brother and Nelly. However, Isabella's role in the novel is nonetheless very important. When the reader first encounters Isabella as a child, she is seen as an over privileged little monster. However, according to David Galef in his article, “Keeping One's Distance: Irony and Doubling in Wuthering Heights,” Isabella develops more than any other character in the novel: development] is most discernible in her changing attitude toward Heathcliff . [...]
[...] Indeed, Edgar will not even respond to her letters detailing the “horrific first night at Wuthering Heights, the brutal behavior of Heathcliff, and Isabella's pained reactions” (Galef 2). In short, Isabella has chosen to exclude herself from her loved ones. Although she has chosen to marry someone whom she truly desires (or desired), she is still forced to suffer. According to David Galef in his article “Keeping One's Distance: Irony and Doubling in Wuthering Heights,” the “threat to Isabella is continual, as is the deep humiliation. [...]
[...] She is both vehicle and destination.” -Clarissa Pinkola Estes Although there is no mother in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, Nelly serves as the live-in maid, cook, nanny, and ultimately, “surrogate mother” (Wion 321). While Nelly is only a few years older than the children she raises, she is seen as a much older and wiser figure. Indeed, throughout the novel, Catherine turns to her for advice on various problems. Nelly serves as the primary protector of both Catherine and Heathcliff; therefore, she holds the majority of the power within the novel. [...]
[...] Conclusion feral woman is usually extremely hungry for something soulful, and often will take any poison disguised on a pointed stick, believing it to be the thing for which her soul hungers.” -Clarissa Pinkola Estes In conclusion, each of these female characters portrays the many obstacles women were often forced to encounter in the past. The strong woman had no place in society; she was neither wanted nor understood. As a result, she was often confined in a situation she truly did not desire. [...]
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