Essay on Literary Criticism: Analyzing Women's Rights, Social Reform

This essay provides a detailed literary criticism analysis focusing on historical events and influential figures who championed women's rights and social reform. It examines the Declaration of Sentiments, a pivotal document in promoting gender equality, and highlights the contributions of Pandit Ramabai in India, who worked tirelessly to uplift marginalized women. The essay also delves into Herman Melville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener," exploring themes of alienation and societal impact. The analysis underscores the significance of these historical events and figures in shaping contemporary perspectives on gender equality and the ongoing need for support to bridge the gender gap. Desklib offers a platform for students to access this and other solved assignments.

Running head: LITERARY CRITICISM
LITERARY CRITICISM
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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The aim of the essay is to discuss and present a detailed critical analysis of the various
historical events across the globe and simultaneously highlight certain characters whose
contribution in the betterment of society is par excellence. The essay analyzes a remarkable
event of declaration of sentiment which has been crucial in defining the role of women in the
society and promoting gender equality. There is another remarkable character called Pandit
Ramabai who has been pivotal in the Indian History in shaping the lives of young girls, widow
and other deprived women who has been victims of patriarchy since ancient ages.
The Declaration of Sentiments discusses about how when at the convention was not
allowed to participate, a document was signed by over 70 women and 32 men, at the convention
for women rights at Seneca Falls. . Declaration of sentiments was organized by Stanton and
Lucretia Mott as they were disallowed to speak at a London international anti-slavery
convention. It not only demanded the rights for women for promoting gender equality but also
presented a list of sentiments of patriarchal oppression of women by the male as women were
placed at subordinate levels in the church as well as state. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a
proponent of that men and women should be treated equal and have equal rights. The document
was significant as it was a remarkable event which pursued for the attainment of not only civil
and social rights but also religious and political rights. The passage discusses female rights
which was bone of contention as women were denied property rights thus abandoned from all the
avenues of trade and commerce. Many saw this against the prevailing morals, as women were
not allowed vote with no distinct freedom to express their opinion. Women received scanty
remuneration which affected her life as they were not able to earn a dignified and equal life for
themselves. Women had lost their importance and purpose of life due to excessive subjugation to

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his husband due to which the declaration garnered much attention. Inspired from declaration of
Independence which states that all men are created equal however only women are demeaned.
When coming to the women legal and marriage rights Pandita Ramabai occupies a pioneering
position the in promoting women rights and education. Her fundamental role to remove
oppression of child marriage which led to founding of Arya Mahila Samaj as it was a remarkable
reformation for women. Her proactive role in the freedom movement and Congress sessions held
during 1880’s has not only voiced some of the grave concerns of women but also mobilized them
to contribute towards attaining independence of the nation (Puchner, Martin, et al.). Ramabai
travelled across many cities like Calcutta and Bengal Presidency to address women rights,
further she worked consistently for emancipation of women in every field as she believed in
women empowerment is a solution of the issues plaguing in the society. Her rigorous work for
awareness of social reform has played a vital role in helping the country to progress and achieve
avenues of self-reliance for the women. The marriage age as per the Indian tradition was also
quite young which exposed to women to be exploited at the hands of men due to they could not
complete their education. Being devoid of basic education they remain confined to domestic
chores which left them dependent on their in laws and husband. This patriarchy had made them
incapable to fight against all the oppressions inflicted upon them. Further, there was no voting
rights, hardly any women graduated which left a larger mass of society illiterate to understand
the political and social ills imposed by the imperialism of the due to British yoke. Despite her
persistent effort to improve the life of the women, her conversion to Christianity intercepted
immediate backlashes from the women society. She worked immensely the for upliftment of
widow who were abandoned by the significant section of Brahmanical community. She earned
the award of Kaiser-e-Hind Gold Medal which signifies her immense contribution

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for the emancipation of the afflicted women. The next passage entails about the
story of the Bartleby, who has hired a new scrivener, to help him in his firm.
Bartleby is an efficient worker in copying but refuses to work on other tasks
asked by his seniors. He is present in the office either engrossed in staring out
of the window or working simply yet he his avoids to do any task due to which
authorities asked him to leave yet he refuses to leave. Finally he is arrested but
even in prison he refuses to do anything which leaves devastated and he faces
his ultimate death due to long starvation. The story ends in an unresolved
mystery where the reader wonder about his experience in Dead Letter Office,
where he is involved in sorting the undelivered mails (Melville, Herman). This story
not only recounts the strange behavior on the part of the Bartleby, the whole
scenario brings amazement to the narrator as well as the reader. The narrator
mourns over his death and wonders about the effect of the dead letters which
would have on the psyche of his scrivener. Thus the mystery in this story remain
unresolved.
The essay has described in length and breadth the about the women who
has been victimized since ages and the pioneering role of the women leaders.
The historical events have immense significant on the women of today which
have led to promoted to bring women and men at equal level. Their contribution
is greatly reflected in the current times as women are now at par with women.
Despite struggles they have come to fore to beat against all odds of patriarchy.
Women has been objectified yet they have stood to explore their possibilities of
excellence in every field. There should effective support for women from the

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state actors and government to expedite the wide gap between the two genders
in the modern age of this century.

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References
Melville, Herman. Bartleby, the Scrivener. Bartleby Library, 1999.
Puchner, Martin, et al. "The Norton Anthology of World Literature." (2012).