A common trend in American writing is to highlight gender differences. Authors appear compelled to hammer home the concept of women's suffrage, representing women as nothing but the weaker, fairer sex. In a way, it's almost a case of reverse sexism, proving the other side right by inversely separating the group in question from the rest. Ayn Rand focused also on the sexes. Instead of pitying her female characters, she raises them to extraordinary heights before reducing them to a level of trained obedience. In her opinion, a life full of servitude and compliance is a woman's place in society. It is also the only happiness she should be allowed to experience in her life, as it was the only happiness she experiences in her own. Ayn Rand's portrayal of women in her fictional works is a reflection of her own personal beliefs on gender roles.
[...] Although the personal aspects of Rand's life were kept rather private, one can only conclude that she too had similar encounters with men, and that she too enjoyed them as much as these fictional females. Perhaps even more devastating than the sexual dominance of Rand and her females is the ease in which they give up even their psychological strength to men. They not only lie still and helpless in bed, but also become drone- like zombies who know only words of conformity. Dominique illustrates this point perfectly when it comes to her first husband: “'I want very much to do anything you want, Peter. To follow any idea you get (Rand, Fountainhead 424). [...]
[...] Ayn Rand's portrayal of women in her fictional works is a reflection of her own personal beliefs on gender roles. The shallowest yet least harmful of Rand's principles is that women, to be true to their femininity, must be beautiful. Much like her animal counterpart, a female's foremost goal was to attract the attention of the opposite sex. The author herself was not of the most desirable type, but she makes certain that her characters were, fashioning “women of enormous beauty, feminine in appearance (Baker 117). [...]
[...] Even Gaea in Anthem follows Prometheus to a new life outside of collectivism, the desire to be free sending her into the uncharted forest heedlessly. Rand forever ignored the comments around her, and when given no help at all, succeeds with the support of her only reliable friend: herself. Sadly however, the independence of these women comes with the price of an early loss of innocence, a quick coming of age that leaves many of them utterly alone. Independence leads to a self-reliance that leaves very little room for outside interference. [...]
[...] One can only guess at what incidents may have occurred to make her have had such a warped perception on women, men and sexuality. Whatever happened, the point is that her psych is reflected directly in the lives of her female characters, and their actions are only as shocking as their creator. The trends are direct and purposeful, and there is a point to be made through her writings, although that point is radical and by today's standards completely unethical. It leaves a female reader or follower [...]
[...] She urged that women not be afraid to choose any work they desire, to ignore the established precedents (Baker 79). Even though readers are often drawn to the physical aspects of her characters, psychological keenness is the true forerunner, in the lives of these women and Rand alike. With this intelligence comes a level of social independence. Rand's women have the ability to survive alone in a world outside civilization and exist as the individuals they truly are. This independence appears in fact to be a mere defense mechanism because these females are too radical to be accepted. [...]
APA Style reference
For your bibliographyOnline reading
with our online readerContent validated
by our reading committee
