Gendering Literary World

Women have been subjugated and treated as inferior since forever. This is apparent in the texts that have survived through centuries, where female characters are objectified and reduced to a role that primarily serves the male gaze. Gender-insensitive writing that disregards, marginalises, or perpetuates stereotypes based on gender, often resulting in unequal treatment or the reinforcement of violent gender norms, has been a topic of discussion and critique in various forms of media, including literature. The idea that Eve, the first woman, was made from one of Adam's ribs has become a justification for a life of enslavement for women. As the Book of Genesis states, Adam and Eve were both responsible for eating the forbidden fruit, but God cursed Eve that women experience pain during sexual activity, or at least that it may. This curse was pronounced as a form of retribution against Eve, and so on for all women. However, this sends a very problematic message. Two epic poems that serve as the cornerstones of ancient Greek literature are the Iliad and the Odyssey by the Greek poet Homer, who has often portrayed the female characters as objects of desire or as temptresses. Helen, as a symbol of extreme beauty, was essentially the cause of the Trojan War. The cause of the war that men created, leading to massacres, is illogically imposed upon a woman. In "The Odyssey" female characters, such as Calypso and the sirens, are often depicted as seductive figures that distract or threaten the male protagonist. Coming to more recent works such as "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov, a very controversial novel, while celebrated for its literary merits, has faced criticism for its portrayal of the protagonist's sexual obsession with a young girl. The book has been accused of perpetuating the objectification and sexualization of underage female characters, as it led to the definition of the term ‘lolita’ as a young girl as "precariously seductive." The power dynamics are heavily skewed, with Humbert using his age, authority, and charm to groom and exploit her. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, often hailed as another classic, has been analysed for its portrayal of female characters primarily in relation to the male protagonist, such as the character of Daisy Buchanan. She is reduced to a trophy wife and becomes the target first of Tom's callous domination and next of Gatsby's dehumanising adoration. She unwittingly turns into the prize at the centre of Gatsby's irrational effort to hold tight to an idealistic view of himself. The best-selling novels and their subsequent film adaptations of today’s time, "Fifty Shades of Grey" by E.L. James and "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer, have been widely criticised for their portrayal of a relationship that many argue is based on power dynamics, control, and sexual objectification. The female protagonist, Anastasia Steele, is often viewed as passive and submissive, while the male protagonist, Christian Grey, is seen as dominant and controlling, and Bella Swan is overly dependent on her male love interest, Edward Cullen. Bella's character has been described as lacking agency and is defined primarily by her romantic relationship. The representation of women in the classics and best-selling novels forms a major part of popular culture and beliefs. The female characters primarily cater to the male gaze, and their existence is dependent upon their relation to the male protagonists. These books have garnered significant readership and sparked discussions about representation, consent, and gender dynamics in literature and popular culture.