Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Marriage as a Problematic Institution. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 6 page essay that addresses how authors discuss marriage in four books-- Henry James’ The Europeans; James Johnson’s The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man; Anzia Yezierka’s Bread Givers; and Willa Cather’s O Pioneers! No additional sources cited.
Page Count:
6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khmar4.rtf
Buy This Term Paper »
Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
four novels--Henry James The Europeans; James Johnsons The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man; Anzia Yezierkas Bread Givers; and Willa Cathers O Pioneers!-reveals that each offers view of marriage that sees
it as problematic and emotionally confining. Some authors qualify this vision with relationships that differ from the patriarchal cultural paradigm that prevailed during this era, but others do not. The
insights that these authors offer, however, adds depth to the contemporary understanding of how marriage was perceived and constructed during these eras. Early twentieth century novelist Anzia Yezierska pictures
marriage in the cultural terms of Judaism. In her novel, The Bread Givers, Sara Smolinsky and her sisters are under the thumb of their domineering, Old Word, patriarchal father, Reb,
who has devoted his life to the stud of Jewish scripture. While this practice is culturally approved for Jewish men, Rebs devotion to scholarship precludes finding any sort of employment
and he relies on his daughters to support him. Therefore, he frightens away any potential suitors who might marry one of his daughters, who are allowed to marry only if
the suitor will pay a dowry. He arranges marriages for Saras three older sisters and Sara witness their misery within these arranged relationships. Sara has absorbed American values and ideals
and vows that her life will be different. Due to her assimilation of the American ethos, she rejects the Judaic tenet that she is "less than nothing without a man"
(Yezierska 205). In a climatic confrontation with he father, Sara says, "Thank God, Im not living in olden times. Thank God Im living in America! You made the lives of
the other children! Im going to make my own life" (Yezierska 138). Sara moves out of her fathers home and supports herself, living in a tenement apartment. She works
...