EQUALITY AND INEQUALITY IN VARIOUS LITERATURE ASSIGNMENT

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THE THEME OF EQUALITY AND INEQUALITY IN VARIOUS LITERATURE
The concept of equality is much debated, while some praise the need for it, others refute
the concept. The word equality signifies a qualitative relationship. The meaning of the word
equality has been described as two quantities are fair in status, right and opportunities
(Huntington). Ideally when there is sense of uniformity throughout the society and everyone
gets the same opportunity it can be stated as an equal state, the opposite of this state is inequality.
The concept of quality and inequality has been most philosophized and debated on by various
scholars and philosophers all over the world and is evident in many literature mediums as well.
There has always been a political and sociological ideologies regarding the topic of equality and
inequality (Huntington). The focus of the paper is to discuss the topic of equality and inequality
as described and debated by the following philosophers and authors such as Plato, Jean Rousseau
and Shakespeare. The purpose of the study is to compare the various ideologies presented by the
following authors on the topic of equality and inequality.
Plato has influenced western philosophy greatly, especially in the field of politics his
philosophies remain relevant to this day. Plato is one of the oldest philosophers whose
philosophies in politics and remains one of the most influential Greek philosophers. He believed
that conflicts within a society was a natural occurrence and could be harmonized by questioning
and rationalizing the concepts. In his book Republic he has talked about various topics at length
and especially equality and inequality. Plato explores the ethical and political dimensions of

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equality and states that equality and justices are related terms. However, it is difficult to
determine and measure the causes and effects of inequalities (Rousseau). The term equality is
always in comparison to a certain context that is variable and therefore the parameters also
changes. Plato has extensively focused on the need of education and how it is an essential tool in
molding minds. The following statement by Plato from Republic reads, “….the simplest and
most effective methods of turning minds around.” Plato understands the need for education to
bring about equality and thus it will follow by social justice (Awasthi). When people are
educated they understand the disparity within the society and strive to solve the issue of
inequality (Sullivan). Knowledge is a powerful tool to eradicate inequality. When people are not
educated they do not understand if they are being treated fairly and the very concept of social
justice and equality is wasted (Sullivan). The knowledge and education plays an important role
in the understanding of the sense of right and wrong and fighting for their equal just rights (Nel).
In another instance Plato discusses the need for gender equality. “If women are expected to do
the same work as men, we must teach them the same things.” The following quote illustrates
that Plato believed in gender equality. The gender inequality is the most normative feature of
most society especially the patriarchal society where women are considered the inferior sex and
often discriminated against. In plain words there is no equality in the treatment of women
(Awasthi). Plato explains that if women are not given the opportunity as men, they will never be
able to fulfil their roles. Therefore, the education needs to be in the same dynamics as of men if
women are expected to fulfill same roles as men then they should be given the same education
and upbringing as them. Gender discrimination is perhaps the most ancient still prominent
feature in most communities where people are assigned roles right form the moment of their
birth and expected to behave and yet there is always a gendered pressure on women to fulfil

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various roles (Awasthi). Plato recognizes the need to empower the weaker section of the society
so that they can be assimilated to the mainstream. This holds very relevant to the modern context
as well where the existing disparity in gender is a difficult but relevant reality. Therefore it
allows the readers to ponder about the idea of equality and inequality and how it is an issue of
social justice.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau remains one of the most influential philosophers in history. His
philosophies have shaped the modern moral and political thinking to a great extent. He too like
Plato is of the opinion that autonomy and a self-conscious society can be achieved through
education. “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” Famously written by
Jean-Jacques Rousseau which illustrates how everyone is born free but the society’s ideologies,
construct, political ideologies are which that truly hamper the growth of the man (Rousseau).
These aspects confines the man, it is what creates the disparity and it is the reason for inequality
among people. The social construct is the reason why some people have more or less power.
However he stresses these constructs ensure to keep the unequal state so that there is a strife for
freedom (Williams 552-565). “One thinks himself the master of others, and still remains a
greater slave than they.” The following statement illustrates how illusionary power can be. The
social hierarchy spares no one, the construct is mean to add to the power of some however, that
is an illusion. In truth, no one is truly is truly powerful and the paradigm of power shifts always.
This creates inequality, the psychological need for power and the lack of it at the same time
creates a master and a slave (McLendon). Rousseau argues that the true nature of the man needs
to be investigated because it is difficult to uncover the true nature of the man. The need to attain
power to promote ones status and the need to be equal is very dangerous. The inequality caused
in the disparity of the power struggle can have violent consequence (Collins et al). He believed

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that the only way this could be overcome was through a common social existence that could not
be challenged and a popular government who recognized the need for human rights and
principals. There needs to be a minimal stand of dignity that the society offers to all and the basic
humanity calls for it (Collins et al). The subject of morality is also attached to this. It is immoral
to deny basic human rights and dignity to another fellow human. Politically this can be a
debatable issue so as to understand who needs to be respected and what needs to be met (Collins
et al). It also questions if the welfare of a state is to protect the right of an individual than how
can the person have a complete freedom to exercise their will. However, Rousseau has correctly
understood that the public needs to be met in terms of equal dignity, opportunity and others. He
argued that a true government will work towards meeting the needs of the citizen and not trample
the real needs of the people (Williams 552-565). Only the proper intervention secures the
freedom and equality of the citizens. Rousseau is of the belief that the supreme authority of the
government is when they protect the interests of the people and ensure that all members of the
society have common privilege.
Lastly The Tempest written by William Shakespeare is one of the most interestingly
different yet connected to the previous literature. William Shakespeare is one of the most famous
playwright of all ages. His works were a representation of the Elizabethan period. Most
importantly, through his work, he was able to portray the socio-political ideologies and issues of
the period. Perhaps this why it still remains one of the most relevant literature of all times (Allon
et al 3-11). In the play there are several instances that indicate the inequality among the
characters. “Thought is free.” The line delivers a strong message on how thought is free.
A mind can wander and think so many things and will not face the consequence of
inequality (Allon et al 3-11).. A thought may come to a king or a pauper, it is personal,

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powerful and does not discriminate. This statement from the drama is in agreement of
Rousseau and Plato, a thought cannot be chained it is beyond the constraints that nature imposes
(Zabus). There is a lot of power struggle and instance of inequality throughout the play. Prospero
is a former Duke of Milan who has been plotted and thrown out of power by his brother. The
former duke meets an islander Caliban who can be someone dark skinned and there is immediate
white superiority which establishes Caliban as a slave and Prospero the master (Zabus). The
social construct does not allow the same freedom and advantage that a master can have. The
inequality and discrimination is based on the color of the skin that immediately brands Caliban
has the inferior race who means less and therefore must submit to a white master. The colonial
mindset is shown clearly in the following relationship dynamics (Bhat). Miranda is also the only
women who has been shown, a fair maiden valued only because of her chastity. “Thy mother
was a piece of virtue, and She said thou wast my daughter…”, the patriarchal construct is
perfectly portrayed in this statement. Miranda is a commodity that is priced by the chastity and is
a means for Prospero to gain his plans (Mori 1-11). Plato talks about how women should be
taught things just as they teach men, however, in correlation to this. In reality, women are
commodities that serve a certain purpose and be left at that. “the fair herself, Weighed between
loathness and obedience at…… should bow”. Later in the play audience learn that Claribel,
Alonso’s daughter needs to marry a king without her wishes and needs to bow to her father
(Mori 1-11). The opinion, wishes of women is inconsequential and they need to bow to the
patriarchy. The political power play which deals in the accordance with Rousseau’s statement
that every man is a slave in the end is depicted well in this (Poulard). Even though Ferdinand’s
father is a king is at the mercy of Prospero’s magical power, which goes to show that power is
subjective and changes hands (Poulard). It also can be obtained, like Alonso and Prospero did by
marrying their daughters off to royalty. There is a stark gender inequality in the Tempest, the

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women who challenges the patriarchal norms is Sycorax (Mori 1-11). The character of Sycorax
is that of a challenging female figure who challenges the norms of patriarchy and is a female
autonomy. She is the opposite female portrayal of Miranda and therefore condemned a witch.
Thus there are several instance of inequality in The Tempest (Rosen).
The following literature has helped be understand that the subject of equality is indeed a
debate and will continue to remain so. The major differences with the texts is the approach of the
texts while the first two are more of philosophies the last is a dramatic representation of those
philosophies in a way. One of the major relevance of the above discussion is the evidence of
gender discrimination that is rampant in this 21st century. Women are still discriminated in all
spheres of life and it is not constraint to the women in just lower strata or in developing
countries. It is present everywhere, women have roles to fulfill and fit into a certain patriarchal
construct against which women are considered witch, abnormal (Rosen). In the middle ages there
was a lot of women who were burnt for possibly practicing witchcraft in most cases, these
women refused to be contained by the societal normative way and therefore had to die (Rosen).
Rousseau correctly states that we are born free but it is the society which chains us. Self-
expression is a human right which is gradually being suppressed by various governments all of
the world. For example, journalists are not allowed to have free press in China. The freedom of
expression is violated by the government and any violation is met with violence (Shambaugh
713-751). As, Plato says that education can help mold minds, perhaps education is the answer to
solving the acts of terrorism all over the world. When children are educated they understand the
world around them and make positive changes to it. To conclude, these literatures provide strong
indication of the various philosophies that is relevant even today.

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