What are stories with examples of the “eternal” virtues, vices and expectations of men from a woman’s mind in literature.
Man has been writing his thoughts on men probably since he could write and has been writing about women long before he realized he didn’t know how to talk to them….wait sorry(I mean, when he first fell in love of course).
Since man is usually the subject of the human experience in many texts and some were influential early on, I’m looking for more of those types of text written by women regardless of notoriety. I’m wondering what the archetypal constants of men are when delivered by women in any era.
I’ll provide what brought on the idea and some examples
The question was inspired after reading Hesiods thoughts-…(I mean, when the muses sang to him) on women in his “Works and Days”. The Golden Age(1st age) was one of men unhampered by pain, fear or age that died in godlike food comas. When women come into it they begin as thoughtful mothers of giant babies in the silver age(2nd age). They aren’t mentioned again until the punishment of man for accepting fire from Prometheus(5th age), and the making of Pandora by the gods. Under Olympus’ powers she’s given; beauty, skills, passion, desire, jewelry and from Zeus himself, “lies, coaxing words, and a thievish nature”. Then after THAT box is opened, all Pandoras traits are feared and tempered by mortal men.
In contrast…
Miranda from Shakespeares the tempest who I’ve read depicted the “pinnacle of femininity” of the time. A character whose kindness and innocence are depicted positively even when it can lead to her manipulation but is also countered by her natural intelligence. With a solidity to be happy with what’s given and not ask for more. Raised by nothing but the chaos of nature and the order of her father Prospero on this isolated island, thus her circumstances are very unique. As she is not only beautiful and untouched by outer society, she is also the key to reclaim the succession of her father’s former power from her uncle, giving her existence great weight and value.
Under here are more examples of some traits of women characters in the stories by men I’ve read that I thought might help
Men on women
•Women’s scorn
– Juno, Medea (Metamorphosis)
– Cheetah (Titus Alone)
•Adultery
– messalina (Claudius The God)
– Emma (Madame Bovary)
– (Anna Karenina)
•Undying love/ forgiveness
– Juno (Titus Alone)
– all (Don Juan)’s girlfriends
– Cordelia (King Lear)
•Just Being sad
– Lady Fuschia (Gormenghast)
•Means to Power/Succession
– Ciri (Witcher)
– Miranda (Tempest)
Carl Jung (stages of anima/animus)
I understand most if not all virtues and vices can be seen in both man and woman. My examples are simply to show that the portrayal and outcome of these women has some reflection of what those male authors or their societies thought about women. I’m looking for more of the inverse.
Also women writers thoughts on women are also worth mentioning
I leave out any examples to have all recommendations welcomed. (Nonfiction included)
Dont be scared of any controversial recs
by SpectreHaki21