By The River Analysis

In the story “By the River,” by Joyce Carol Oates, the main character Helen suffers the same fate at the hands of her father. At a young age Helen spent time with several men, much to the disapproval of her father. Helen saw no difference in having relation with one man or a hundred (Oates 290). As the years went by Helen married, but shortly after she ran off with another man and moved to the city. She soon realized that they city was not for her and decided to return home. She called her father to tell him the good news and he agreed to pick her up at the bus station. While sitting at the bus station waiting for her father she remembered how soothing his voice was and how he would always protect her (Oates 290). Helens father was very quiet
Her father was not answering at first, but then finally said, “ I didn’t want her to” (Oates 294) Helen followed-up with “why didn’t you tell anybody? You’re ashamed of me, huh” (Oates 297)? Helen quickly realized the he is mad at her and began explaining her reasoning for the things she has done. Just a few miles from their home Helen’s father decided to stop the car to rest for a minute and said, “Let’s get out for a minute, go down by the river” (Oates 299). Once they made it to the river Helen father began speaking like never before. He was telling her emotional stories of his life and how everything he did was for her because she was an innocent child unlike everyone else in their family. He prayed that when Helen grew up she would be successful, with a nice house and cars (Oates 300). Helen explained that she is happy with what she has. Helen says, “Pa, let’s go home. Let’s go home” as she grows worrisome of her father’s attitude (Oates 301). As he was kneeling on the riverbank he asks, “Why did you leave with that man (Oates 302)? Helen explained that they loved each other very much, but she could not explain why she decided to come back
It is carried out against women, who are perceived to have betrayed their family or community. The strength of a community comes from the people and must be kept pure at all costs. According to tribal customs, a woman’s greatest asset is her potential to marry and bear children (Western 84). In order for a woman to be perceived as honorable and valuable, she has to be healthy, virgin, and fertile (Western 84). Women are married through arranged marriages or purchased with the promise of support from the husband. This system is referred to as a dowry. The wife and her family will receive something of monetary value. The offerings can range from farm animals to thousands of dollars in gold and jewelry. The women’s family has the right to deny if they are not pleased by the offerings. With marriage she becomes obligated to provide children for him and only him. The man may have more than one wife as long as he can support each wife. A woman who engages in premarital sex gives up her purity and is viewed as worthless. Being perceived to not be of value, she will not marry and her family will not be compensated with a dowry for raising her (Kiener). She will bring shame for failing to respect the social norms. Severe punishment or even death follows because male relatives are held responsible for women’s actions and are seen as failures because they did not enforce