This close reading deals with the character of Flavia in Alexander Pope's “Characters of Women. An Epistle to a Lady”. It shows how Flavia's negative characteristics indirectly depict a concept of what a male character should be like.
The reader will also find a detailled bibliography containing the most important texts dealing with the subject.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Close Reading: The Construction of Masculinity through the Negative Depiction of Femininity in the Character of Flavia in A. Pope's Characters of Women. An Epistle to a Lady.
- Flavia's Characterization
- Reasons for Flavia's Incapacity to Live a Convenient Life
- Flavia's "Impotence of Mind"
- Flavia's Character and Masculinity
- Flavia's "Too Much Thinking"
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay analyzes the character of Flavia in Alexander Pope's Characters of Women. An Epistle to a Lady., focusing on how her negative portrayal constructs an implicit view of masculinity. It explores the techniques Pope employs to depict Flavia's flaws and their connection to traditional gender roles and ideals in the 18th century.
- The construction of masculinity through the negative portrayal of femininity
- The depiction of Flavia's character flaws and their connection to traditional gender roles
- The use of stylistic devices, including antitheses, oxymorons, and anaphora, in Pope's writing
- The contrast between Pope's concept of masculinity and the Restoration rake
- The importance of intellectual capacity and "common thought" in Pope's view of masculinity
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins by examining Flavia's characterization, highlighting her depiction as a collection of contradictory traits and her inability to balance her "wit," "spirit," and "thinking." This section explores the ways in which Pope utilizes oxymorons to portray Flavia as a "wise wretch" and someone who "pretends intellect" to mask her true motivations.
The essay then analyzes the reasons behind Flavia's inability to live a fulfilling life, attributing her failings to an excessive focus on worldly desires, a lack of religious devotion, and a romanticized view of death. Her fascination with heroic deaths from mythology and medieval legends is juxtaposed with her own lack of true heroism.
The essay further delves into Flavia's "impotence of mind," associating it with her inconsistent character and the concept of "varium et semper mutabile femina." This section explores the potential influence of her husband's spoiling on her inability to control her desires and passions, highlighting Pope's belief in the importance of men in women's education.
The essay concludes by examining how Flavia's flaws indirectly portray the ideal male character. Pope's focus on intellectual qualities, particularly the importance of "common thought," contrasts with the emphasis on physical attributes in the Restoration rake archetype. This analysis demonstrates how Flavia serves as an implicit representation of masculinity, highlighting the intellectual superiority of men.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This essay explores themes of gender construction, masculinity, femininity, 18th-century literary criticism, Alexander Pope, Characters of Women, Flavia, antitheses, oxymorons, anaphora, Restoration rake, intellectual capacity, common thought.
- Quote paper
- Eva Düllmann (Author), 2009, The Construction of Masculinity through the Negative Depiction of Femininity in the Character of Flavia in A. Pope’s "Characters of Women. An Epistle to a Lady.", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/179029
