He reinforces that “Marriage, the Supreme Court declared in 1967, is ‘one of the basic civil rights of men’ (and, presumably of woman as well). The freedom to marry, said the Court, is “essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness” (Stoddard 722). The choice whether or not to wed belongs strictly to each individual person. Marriage is not just an emblematic formality. Marriage initiates rights, privileges and entitles partners to group insurance, pension plans and tax advantages (Stoddard 722). In addition, “Marriage creates families and promotes social stability. In an increasingly loveless world, those who wish to committed themselves to a relationship founded upon devotion should be encouraged, not scorned” (Stoddard…
Although human beings consider love the universal tie that extends and forgives over race, gender, social statuses, habits, and beliefs, sometimes faults prevent them from loving, as Mary Freeman’s “A New England Nun” illustrates. Having faithfully kept their vows of engagement, Louisa Ellis and Joe Dagget have reunited after fourteen years of separation. Prim and proper Louisa has cultivated a content life of quiet, cleanliness, and strict routine. As Joe uneasily recognizes, his fiancé cannot stand even one book lying out of place, and is wearing three aprons really necessary? On the other hand, Joe, with his hulky frame, husky mannerisms, and carefree…
In the 19th century, marriage was the sole occupation of women and was the only way for women to rise in social status and to ‘support themselves’. Marriage was a fundamental aspect of Austen’s world and the importance of marriage is highlighted as Emma states that she is “not going to be married” and Harriet exclaims in a shocked tone “it is so odd to hear a woman talk so!”. For Harriet, and most women in the 19th century, marriage was an economic necessity to provide a stable financial future. This is reiterated by Emma’s use of short phrases in “a single woman, with a very narrow income, must be a ridiculous, disagreeable old maid” which expresses her disdain for those women who do not possess fortunes to match hers and reinforces the value of wealth in relation to marriage. Marriage was therefor, not for love but for wealth, as is demonstrated in Mr. Elton’s arrogant proclamation that he “need not so totally despair of an equal alliance as to be addressing myself to Ms. Smith!” The use of the word ‘alliance’ emphasizes the fact that matrimony was for financial benefits. Marriage in Austen’s time was valued unconditionally and was seen as a means to achieve financial and social stability.…
Many wives sometimes feel unappreciated, neglected, and often used; which sometimes may lead to speaking out loud for themselves. This was the case with a woman in the 70s named Judy Brady. In 1971, Judy Brady’s essay “I Want a Wife” was in the first edition of Ms. Magazine; which targeted the inequality that was promised to women at this time. Being as the 70s was a time when women constantly struggled for equality and rights, Brady has some very interesting views on the term “wife.” Brady begins her thought process after hearing from a male friend who has recently become divorced. With him being single, and looking for a new wife; it occurred to Brady that she too wanted a wife of her own.…
The author begins right away by appealing to pathos in the first paragraph. She does so by mentioning the traditional values of marriage. She talks about the sanctity of marriage and how it is traditionally defined as between a man and a woman. By doing this she is appealing to her audience’s emotions in hopes that they will connect with the traditional values. This is especially effective considering that most of the readers of the Wall Street Journal are at an age that it is common for most of them to be married.…
The Queen’s wrath he kept saying as we flew from the Queen’s grim, dismal, displeasurable for anyone who enters with bad notice, unwelcoming castle. Why he kept saying that repetitively I don’t know while flying the Queen’s black dragon. That could almost represent a black hole that light couldn’t go through, and the dragon's scales every time it took a breath would open up a glow of green as like if it was irritated blood. I asked the man his name he says with a murmur voice “The Queen’s wrath”. Since he said it so many times it repetitions in my mind as if I’m studying for a grammar test constantly. I then demanded him say where were we heading in a instance we divebomb to the ground with a swift, headlong straight into a rebel camp. With…
In William Goldman's “The Princess Bride”, the representation of love and marriage has challenged my values, through the unidealised reasons to why couples get married, the long-term unromantic relationship between Buttercup’s parents and the rather fast development of Buttercup and Westley’s love.…
(Schweitzer 14). Schweitzer notes that during this time period women forfeited the emotional support that friendship provided once they were married. The main protagonist criticizes marriage in a letter she writes to her friend Lucy Freeman, “Marriage is the tomb of friendship. It appears to me a very selfish state” (Foster 24). It can be noted from Eliza’ view of marriage that Foster is critical of marriage because it kills friendships. Eliza writes to Mrs. Richmond, “Though not less interested in the felicity of my friend than the rest, yet the idea of a separation; perhaps, of an alienation of affection by, means of her entire devotion to another, cast an involuntary gloom over my mind” (Foster 70). Eliza’s view of her friend becoming part of a patriarchal marriage and her husband becoming her sole purpose further demonstrates what Foster thought of marriage and how unfair it was for women to give up the love and devotion she had for her friends. Schweitzer explains, “Even the eminently unromantic Lucy admits ruefully that marriage has removed her from her "native home" and its special joys” (Schweitzer 21). Schweitzer notes that even Lucy who is a character that embodies the social norm, admits that marriage takes away the freedom that a woman…
As Emerson once said, “Speak what you think now in hard words and to-morrow speak what to-morrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said today” (Emerson, 82). Emerson is applauding the sense of being misunderstood because every life’s decision is a compromise between one’s will and society’s obligation. So, that is why Janie’s viewpoint of love had differ multiple times because her first two marriages where defined by society, whereas her marriage with Tea Cake was her own decision. Janie’s marriage with Logan was due to Nanny’s will, while the marriage alongside Tea Cake was due to her own freewill. Alike, the marriage with Joe was violating her freedom because she “pressed her teeth together and learned to hush” (Hurston, ), as opposed to Tea Cake, who allowed Janie to voice her opinions and listened. The love between Tea Cake and Janie was challenged by society. For a marriage is between an older man and a younger woman, it is balanced by the wealth one person carries, and the stability a man can offer. However, as Janie once said, “Love is lak de sea. It’s uh movin’ thing, but still and all, it takes its shape from de shore it meets, and it’s different with every shore” (Hurston, 191). Every person falls in love one way or another, to Janie, she choose Tea Cake for the realization that wealth and…
Explore the ways strong feelings about marriage are presented in Much Ado about nothing and Far from the Madding Crowd…
Compare and contrast the presentation of relationships and marriage in ‘A Doll’s House’, ‘Wide Sargasso Sea’ and ‘The World’s Wife’, saying how far these text show that ‘in literature, marriage is overwhelming and shown to be an unequal relationship.…
Warner, R. L., & Seccombe, K. (2003). Marriage and families: Relationships in social context. Toronto, Canada: Wadsworth.…
In Marianne Moore’s poem, “Poetry”, the author tells the events of developing and learning that poetry is truly something very special. This is evident from the selection of words in this piece of writing, which include contempt, discovers, and genuine. They occur in the poem in this order, which the author does for a reason. The author does this to show that through the duration of the story, the author changes and grows to see the greatness in poetry. At the beginning, the author does not like poetry, having contempt for such work, but as time goes on she discovers there is more to poetry than she once believed, and then she finally grasps the genuine nature of poetry, thus accepting its greatness.…
In Billy Collins’ short poem “Divorce” (2008), readers get to see a relationship from its intimate moments through to the cold, hardened end. While relationships are often thought of in domestic terms, Collins introduces silverware as personified characters, toying with the notion of domesticity to some extent. Though only four lines, the poem delivers a punchy, compact narrative rife with emotion undertones. The diction initially suggests the potential for a fairytale ending, but these notions are quickly severed as language mirrors the relationship itself. Collins exposes the brutality of a failed marriage that mirrors a kind of capitalized outsourcing of a divorce.…
Marriage is about two persons placing themselves in a relationship they are truly committed to. Jenny Franchot claims that, “Compromise in a marriage is essential to maintain a happy relationship. Without compromise, one spouse will generally feel subjugated and may grow increasingly bitter of his or her partner.” Compromise from both spouses is extremely important for a marriage to work. “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin and “Like a Bad Dream” by Henrich Boll both deal with marriage and commitment. Both stories take their own course, but they are effective examples that illustrate the claim about marriage made by Franchot.…