Social Pressures, by Jimmy

During the time Emily Dickinson was writing her poems, women were expected to be house wives and take care of the children and the home. Now that role has changed. More and more women are going out and getting an education followed by high paying jobs. Things have definitely changed since Dickinson's time and most of it is for the better.
During the time Dickinson was writing her poems women were expected to fall into predetermined roles. They were expected to get married and take care of the children and the household. She says in her poem numbered 194,



Born - Bridalled - Shrouded -

In a Day -

Tri Victory -

"My Husband" - Women say (10-13)



Women were born and raised thinking that they need to grow up and be the best mother and wife they could be. Any thoughts of doing something else were usually frowned upon. It was uncommon for women to have any higher education, let alone a high status job. In today's world that has definitely changed.
In today's world, things look completely different. Women are right in step with men in regards to education and jobs . Many times now you will find that women hold higher positions than men do. Women are CEO's, doctors, senators, just to name a few. Dickinson says, "I'm 'wife' - Ive finished that"(1). She is saying that she is done falling into a predetermined role as a woman and is going to branch out. The stereotypical housewife does still exist, but in a much smaller role. Instead of the majority of women staying home, the majority are working and earning a good living. The social pressure for a woman to be put into the housewife role does not really exist anymore, usually it is by choice now.
It is fair to say that times have definitely changed since Emily Dickinson's time. Women are way more involved and have a major say in what goes on. There really isn't any more pressure to just settle for being a housewife anymore. there is more pressure now for women to get higher education and become successful in the field that they choose.





Works Cited


Dickinson, Emily. "194" ,"225". The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Ed.Nina Baym. 7th ed. Vol. B. New York: Norton 2007. 2561-2562