Author: kylelarkey

Men and women have never had equal treatment regarding sex. When men have sex it is viewed as an accomplishment. When women have sex they are viewed as a whore. It is an unfair double standard. Unfortunately even though this was the case of the 19th century, it is still the case today.

They are many examples of this in modern day society. The playboy mansion is a good one. The playboy bunnies aren’t viewed badly but they are viewed as objects of desire and lust. They aren’t viewed or respected as individuals. Hugh Hefner on the other hand however is viewed as the “coolest guy ever” and “living the dream”.

The Goblin Market demonstrates the point rather well. The goblins fruit or “sex” is an object of desire but it told not to partake in it. When the sister is forced to eat the fruit or “raped”, the goblins are not punished for such an act. The sister barely even reacts to it even though she clearly doesn’t want it. It is as if she doesn’t want to anger the goblin.

The point is women still are not treated on a level playing field when it comes to sex. The ideas and views regarding sex should be changed on both sides though. A woman having sex with the person she loves shouldn’t make her labeled a whore and a man having sex with as many women as he can shouldn’t make him cool. The views on sex have not changed much since the 19^th century and that is a problem.

The Harlot’s House deals with a man walking with his love when they come across a harlot’s house. When the man sees it he starts to describe it with very unflattering terms. Most of them he says having to do with death. He describes the people inside as ghostly dancer, slim silhouetted skeletons, phantoms, and puppets. It is clear that his view on the harlot house isn’t a very good one. He says the people try to sing and that they’re laughter is thin and shrill. He refers it to a house of lust. But then as they pass, his lover decides to enter the harlot’s house. This has been an issue in society for a long time and still is one. The power of lust over love is a strong one. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish love over lust when you meet someone and this can be the demise of any relationship. Is it love you have with this person or lust? Science and technology believe it or not has made a huge impact on this issue though. Through the internet, people are able to connect with each other in order to find a partner. The people who use these dating sites are able to find one another based on compatibility, interests, and goals. The people do not find potential partners based off of superficial aspects and lust.

The Girl of the Period is basically one author’s response to a change in culture. Linton is threatened by women starting to express themselves and be outspoken. Linton was brought up to be courteous to her husband at all times and never disobey. So she believes that girls that aren’t like the traditional English girl is only driven by money and fun and has no concept of respect. The simple fact is…Linton is threatened by change. She is stuck in her old ways. Woman are not becoming greedy, they are becoming outspoken. But change is threatening in many aspects of life especially in the science community.

Every time there was a new discovery that falsified previous knowledge, it caused backlash from scientists all over. When it was discovered that the sun was the center of the solar system, it was not accepted by the scientific community easily. The man who came up with the germ theory was mocked and called crazy. Change never happens without a fight. Not in science and certainly not in culture.

It is not to say that Linton is wrong in her way of thinking. Putting love and happiness before money is definitely the right way to live. But the obedient housewife role just isn’t relevant in today’s culture. Our society has become materialistic there’s no doubt about it, but it isn’t because of women finally getting a voice.