Roles of Women in Literature

Throughout the ages the roles of women are always changing. Some ages and cultures view the role of a woman as the child bearer. Others look to all aspects of home-life and treat women as child bearer, cook, and maid. As the times change a modern picture of women is becoming almost equal to men; we see women in the work force, women with cell phones, cars, and responsibilities greater than simply raising children. In literature, the role of women is often skewed based on the author's gender, age, and political or economic views. Three stories that show the social roles of women in different views are Kate Chopin's Story of an Hour, Alice McDermott's Enough, and Gail Godwin's A Sorrowful Woman. These three stories are an example of how literature depicts the social roles of women in very different ways depending on the author's point of view and time period.…