(b) compare the other two texts – roles /
status of men/women and what it tells us about the world of the
text
My other two texts, “Translations” [T] and
“I’m Not Scared” [INS] are set in very different times, but share some
similarities. In each, men and women are treated differently to each other but
have varying opportunities for fulfilment.
In T, Manus occupies a low status as the son of a hedge-school master.
Even though education was highly valued in this world, Manus was only the
assistant and unable to support himself financially. This reduced his position
in the society, as it was expected that a man would be able to support a
household. A similar situation exists in INS. Despite being nearly 150 years
later than T, this society still expects that the man would be the head of the
household. Michele’s father, Pino, makes sure to exert his authority in the home
whenever possible. Even though he is often absent from the family home, he
orders his wife as though she were a skivvy when he is at home. She accepts this
without question.
Male physicality is an important decider of social standing in T. Manus’
status is also lowered because he is lame. This physical impediment makes him
less of a man in the eyes of the other characters. When he tries to run away at
the end of the play, Doalty is sarcastic about his chances, saying that he will
be ‘limping along the coast’. This attitude is even more prevalent in INS. Pino
challenges his young son to an arm wrestling match, and asks if he has been
doing his press-ups. Unlike in T, education is not highly valued in this world.
Pino makes no enquires about Michele’s school work. Because of this, physical
strength is given greater value than in T. If a character like Manus lived in
the world of INS, he would be held in very low regard.
For women, the world of T is very limited. Maire is presented as a
vibrant, intelligent and ambitious young woman. She craves independence.
However, her opportunities to achieve that independence in rural Ireland in 1833
are extremely restricted. At first, she hopes to marry Manus. His reluctance to
break away from his father forces her to look for alternatives. The only
realistic alternative is emigration. She is the eldest of a large family and
cannot continue to be a financial strain on her mother. There is no chance of
her working as a single woman at this time in Ireland due to the very high
levels of unemployment. The world of the text does not support independent
women. Women are similarly oppressed in INS. Pino’s wife, Anna, barely speaks
throughout the film. Pino exerts total authority over her, and she obeys. At one
point in the film, another man, Felice, finds Anna alone in the house and tries
to force himself on her. Pino walks in and discovers his wife being attacked.
Remarkably, his anger is directed at Felice simply because Felice has violated
what is his. He shows no concern for Anna, pushing her violently aside in order
to attack Felice. This acceptance of violence towards women is evident from the
opening scene of the film. Felice’s younger brother, Skull, orders one of the
young girls to remove her shorts as a forfeit for coming last in the race. When
she objects, he slaps her across the face. This must be learned behaviour, and
while the little girl is upset, she does not appear surprised. Her appeal to the
other young boys is met with silence. While both texts portray a world where
women are regarded as inferior, INS shows a level of contempt for women not
evident in T. Poverty is the main reason for the oppression of women in T.
Misogyny is the problem in INS.
status of men/women and what it tells us about the world of the
text
My other two texts, “Translations” [T] and
“I’m Not Scared” [INS] are set in very different times, but share some
similarities. In each, men and women are treated differently to each other but
have varying opportunities for fulfilment.
In T, Manus occupies a low status as the son of a hedge-school master.
Even though education was highly valued in this world, Manus was only the
assistant and unable to support himself financially. This reduced his position
in the society, as it was expected that a man would be able to support a
household. A similar situation exists in INS. Despite being nearly 150 years
later than T, this society still expects that the man would be the head of the
household. Michele’s father, Pino, makes sure to exert his authority in the home
whenever possible. Even though he is often absent from the family home, he
orders his wife as though she were a skivvy when he is at home. She accepts this
without question.
Male physicality is an important decider of social standing in T. Manus’
status is also lowered because he is lame. This physical impediment makes him
less of a man in the eyes of the other characters. When he tries to run away at
the end of the play, Doalty is sarcastic about his chances, saying that he will
be ‘limping along the coast’. This attitude is even more prevalent in INS. Pino
challenges his young son to an arm wrestling match, and asks if he has been
doing his press-ups. Unlike in T, education is not highly valued in this world.
Pino makes no enquires about Michele’s school work. Because of this, physical
strength is given greater value than in T. If a character like Manus lived in
the world of INS, he would be held in very low regard.
For women, the world of T is very limited. Maire is presented as a
vibrant, intelligent and ambitious young woman. She craves independence.
However, her opportunities to achieve that independence in rural Ireland in 1833
are extremely restricted. At first, she hopes to marry Manus. His reluctance to
break away from his father forces her to look for alternatives. The only
realistic alternative is emigration. She is the eldest of a large family and
cannot continue to be a financial strain on her mother. There is no chance of
her working as a single woman at this time in Ireland due to the very high
levels of unemployment. The world of the text does not support independent
women. Women are similarly oppressed in INS. Pino’s wife, Anna, barely speaks
throughout the film. Pino exerts total authority over her, and she obeys. At one
point in the film, another man, Felice, finds Anna alone in the house and tries
to force himself on her. Pino walks in and discovers his wife being attacked.
Remarkably, his anger is directed at Felice simply because Felice has violated
what is his. He shows no concern for Anna, pushing her violently aside in order
to attack Felice. This acceptance of violence towards women is evident from the
opening scene of the film. Felice’s younger brother, Skull, orders one of the
young girls to remove her shorts as a forfeit for coming last in the race. When
she objects, he slaps her across the face. This must be learned behaviour, and
while the little girl is upset, she does not appear surprised. Her appeal to the
other young boys is met with silence. While both texts portray a world where
women are regarded as inferior, INS shows a level of contempt for women not
evident in T. Poverty is the main reason for the oppression of women in T.
Misogyny is the problem in INS.