The paper will take into account the concept of feminism through Brett in "The Sun Also Rises" regarding her remarkable physical appearance, her power over the men and her affairs, as well as her focus on masculine traits. Moreover, it will demonstrate that Brett finds herself in masculine spheres, a crucial point that contributes to the image of the New Woman as well. At least, the paper gives a comparison to the other women in the novel, showing that especially the character of Brett stands for the concept of the modern woman to her time.
Until the 1920s, women were not as independent as they are today. Females had the status of the weaker sex since they were not as included as men in society. Women were mainly forced to stay in the house in order to be occupied with domestic matters. By the 1920s, women faced increasing autonomy not only economically, but also regarding sexual matters. With the increasing independence of females, it simultaneously arose the image of the New Woman. She appeared as a flapper with a short haircut and a noticeable choice in fashion.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Females in the 1920s and the image of the New Woman
3 Lady Brett Ashley as the embodiment of the New Woman
3.1 Brett Ashley’s physical appearance and her behavior
3.2 The control over the men and her dominance over affairs
3.3 Superficiality regarding masculine traits and sexual attraction
3.4 Brett in a masculine sphere
4 A contrast to the other women in the novel
5 Conclusion
Research Objectives & Key Themes
This paper examines how the character of Lady Brett Ashley in Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" serves as an embodiment of the "New Woman," contributing to the redefinition of gender roles and feminism in the 1920s through her autonomy, rejection of domesticity, and pursuit of sexual independence.
- Historical context of femininity and the "New Woman" image in the 1920s.
- Analysis of Brett Ashley's physical appearance and "mannish" behavior as a rejection of Victorian norms.
- Exploration of Brett's dominance in sexual affairs and her refusal to conform to traditional marriage.
- Comparison of Brett Ashley with other female characters to highlight her status as a modern, independent woman.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Brett Ashley’s physical appearance and her behavior
Brett’s appearance, as well as her behavior, can in many ways be seen as typical for the ‘New Woman’. On the one hand, she appears as a flapper through her styling. On the other hand, she behaves like men in some aspects. Even after the first pages of the novel, Brett appears as a modern and independent woman of her time, as Hemingway introduces her with some conspicuous visual traits. Jake, the narrator, describes the young lady as the following: “Brett was damned looking-good. She wore a slipover jersey sweater and a tweed skirt, and her hair was brushed back like a boy’s. She started all that” (see Hemingway 19). That she wears her hair bobbed, gets clear, when Brett says: “Me, with long hair. I’d look so like hell” (see Hemingway 212). Her boyish hairstyle is as crucial, as this implies her warding off the Victorian norms, as “long hair was a symbol for women” (see Yu 177). As it was rather uncommon for women to wear their hair bobbed, Brett resembles flappers in terms of hairstyle.
The fact, that she cut her hair short, shows that she takes on male traits. Moreover, her hairstyle can be understood “as a symbol of the New Woman taking on masculine qualities” (Yu 177). That Brett’s short hair has a great significance to her, can be argued by the fact, that she refuses to get long hair again. When Pedro Romero expects a change regarding her hairstyle, she decides to leave him: “’He wanted me to grow my hair out. Me, with long hair. I’d look so like hell.’ […] ‘He said it would make me more womanly’” (see Hemingway 212). Puckett also states that the acting of Pedro Romero contributes to a relevant fact: “Making Brett more “womanly” translates […] to eliminating her sexual promiscuity […] a flapper of the early 1920s who cuts her hair short like a man” (see Puckett 146). As the physical change of women was especially a phenomenon of western society, Romero attempted to change Brett’s appearance in order to make her a “proper Spanish woman” (see Nagel 99).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the shifting status of women in the 1920s and sets the thesis that Lady Brett Ashley embodies the modern, independent "New Woman."
2 Females in the 1920s and the image of the New Woman: Examines the historical transition from Victorian domesticity to 1920s female empowerment, offering a definition of the "New Woman" and flapper culture.
3 Lady Brett Ashley as the embodiment of the New Woman: Analyzes how Brett functions as a modern archetype through her appearance, character, and deliberate defiance of traditional gender dynamics.
3.1 Brett Ashley’s physical appearance and her behavior: Discusses how Brett’s bobbed hair and fashion choices act as symbols of her rejection of patriarchal femininity.
3.2 The control over the men and her dominance over affairs: Explores Brett’s sexual autonomy and her tendency to initiate and terminate relationships to preserve her freedom.
3.3 Superficiality regarding masculine traits and sexual attraction: Addresses how Brett evaluates and selects her partners based on their virility while refusing emotional dependency.
3.4 Brett in a masculine sphere: Highlights Brett’s active participation in traditionally male-dominated environments, such as the bullring, to assert her modern identity.
4 A contrast to the other women in the novel: contrasts Brett’s independence with the conventional, dependent behaviors of characters like Frances and Georgette.
5 Conclusion: Synthesizes the analysis, confirming that Brett Ashley’s subversion of Victorian norms solidifies her role as a symbol of the "New Woman."
Keywords
New Woman, Lady Brett Ashley, The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway, 1920s, Feminism, Flapper, Gender Roles, Victorian Norms, Sexual Autonomy, Independence, Masculine Spheres, Patriarchal Order, Modernism, Literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
This paper explores the role of Lady Brett Ashley in Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" and argues that she acts as an embodiment of the "New Woman" of the 1920s.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the redefinition of gender roles, female autonomy, the rejection of Victorian-era domestic constraints, and the intersection of fashion and sexual liberation.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine how Brett Ashley's appearance and behavior contribute to the portrayal of modern, independent womanhood and feminist ideals in modernist literature.
Which scientific methods does the author use?
The author performs a literature-based analysis, drawing on historical context from the 1920s and secondary scholarly interpretations to analyze character actions and dialogue.
What are the main topics covered in the chapters?
The chapters cover historical shifts in gender, the visual symbols of the "New Woman," Brett’s dominance in romantic affairs, her preference for sexual freedom over traditional marriage, and her entry into masculine domains.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Keywords include The New Woman, Lady Brett Ashley, gender roles, sexual independence, 1920s, flapper, and patriarchal subversion.
How does Brett Ashley's refusal to keep long hair signify her character?
Her refusal to grow her hair out, despite the demands of her lover Pedro Romero, acts as a visual rejection of "Victorian" femininity and a commitment to her own independent, modern identity.
Why is a comparison with other female characters like Frances in the novel relevant?
It highlights Brett's uniqueness; while characters like Frances demonstrate traditional dependency and jealousy, Brett maintains autonomy and self-worth, which reinforces her status as the novel's primary "New Woman."
What does the author conclude about Brett's interaction with the bullfighting world?
The author concludes that Brett's presence and calm demeanor in the bullring represent a successful breach of masculine-dominated spheres, further cementing her identity as a modern, strong, and fearless woman.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2022, Feminism in "The Sun Also Rises". Lady Brett Ashley as New Woman, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1315961
