When Women Have The Power essays

When Women Have The Power essays If men are not around what are women to do? World War II marked a significant turn for women in society as women began to enter the workforce in large numbers, filling and expanding the void left by the many men who went to fight in Europe's epic world war. Eudora Welty's short story, "Petrified Man," contradicts the typical thought surrounding the gender roles and the social norms of Southern Americans. In the story women are the controllers of the household, and men are weak inactive figures, as they do nothing. Leota and Mrs. Pike, two strong female characters in "Petrified Man" have steady jobs and are the economic supporters of the family, while Fred and Mr. Pike are unemployed and live at home. Although Mr. Fletcher is employed, he takes a subordinate role in his marriage as Mrs. Fletcher takes the reins and does as she pleases. The Petrified Man is even an inactive figure, hiding from the police and acting as if he is a man that is made of stone. Through the actions and traits of the female and male characters in "Petrified Man" gender role reversal becomes a prevalent and meaningful theme of the short story. World War II started in 1939 and during this time most able-bodied men went off to Europe to fight, leaving the women to do the work outside the home. Women therefore became both domestic keepers and often the financial provider of the family. Around this time, women's rights were becoming more accepted as they were allowed to vote, own property and had many civic liberties of their own (Carter 1). In the "Petrified Man," Welty describes the gender role reversal through the characters of Leota and Mrs. Pike, "He don't wanna go, but I ain't gonna put up with nothin' like that. Lays around the house an' bulls-did bulls-with that good-for nothin' like Mr. Pike. He says if he goes who'll cook, but I says I never get to eat anyway." It is the men, Mr. Pike and Fred, who are a...