The Portrayal of Women in the American Literary Canon

Literature is not simply a reflection of society; it is in actuality much more powerful. Literature draws upon society and creates its own meanings and images. It possesses the power to either nourish or discourage societal values and ideals. Hence, stereotypical views on gender relations in society are reinforced by literary depictions of men and women. The American literary canon is a collection of books that are widely accepted as influential in shaping Western culture. Stereotypes are evident throughout these texts, and often serve to justify the continuance of traditional roles. More specifically, women seem to be the target of cataloguing and other negative depictions. Classic books that are identified as part of the American literary canon tend to portray female characters in a way that emphasizes their inferiority. The depiction of females in classic American literature promotes a stereotypical view of women in American society. The American literary canon presents a one sid ed view of women, due to the dominance of male authors. Classic American books generally present images of women in a male-centered viewpoint, creating a biased representation of women in literature. In â€Å"Feminist Literary Criticism: From Anti-Patriarchy to Decadence,† Anne Barbeau Gardiner states that the American literary canon is â€Å"strikingly narrow†¦prepared by white men whose judgment was prejudiced and whose language was full of gendered meanings.† (Gardiner 395). GardinerShow MoreRelatedThe, The Yellow Wallpaper And Maria Cristina Mena s The Vine Leaf1553 Words   |  7 PagesIn Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† and Maria Cristina Mena’s â€Å"The Vine Leaf,† doctors and medical practices have influence over the way we perceive a female’s place in society. The portrayal of these themes are slightly different between the two works, but both provide examples of women in places of inferiority. 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