Enc1102 - Essay on Women

Dymond Cogdell

Professor Snodgrass

ENC1102

19 October 2015

                                                               Women

        Women are often treated as a lesser being than men. They have not always had the respect and equality they receive today. Since men are considered to be the stronger, less emotional gender, women are seen as weak and subjective to men. In the poem “Women” by May Swenson, sarcasm works well in the text because she feels like women are just objects for men. However, women shouldn’t be treated like items because they deserve to be treated as equal as men. They are treated like toys and are expected to follow a man’s every move. Throughout the text, May Swenson repetitively states how women “should be” meaning how they “should” act. She says this to describe how women are treated in American culture.

        Females are treated less than males mainly because of the stereotypes based upon women. “Immobile sweetlipped sturdy and smiling” (Swenson). This line is implying that women should not speak in opposition to men and should be solid and happy with whatever a man says. Also, “To be chafed feelingly and unfeelingly” (Swenson) suggests how women are only cherished to be used and abused. When Swenson states “To be joyfully ridden rockingly ridden until the restored egos dismount and the legs stride away” it entails that women should be willing to support a man until his ego is restored and is able to stand on his own. Basically stating that women are who men lean on for assistance.

        However, women are often treated like toys. Swenson mentions in the poem “They should be little horses those wooden sweet old-fashioned painted rocking horses, the gladdest things in the toy room”. She is again implying that women are seen as novelties for men to be used whenever they need to be. An object whom is unable to move on their own. They should be happy and willing to do whatever it is men want. In other words, pretty little women that are quiet and not belligerent.  May Swenson mentions “The pegs of their ears so familiar and dear to the trusting fists.” implicating that the ears of the horse (women) trust the fists (men) that are holding on to them. The woman trusts and loves the man enough to be with him and support him but the man misuses her trust by treating her as just a commodity.