A Feminist Reading of A Woman on a Roof Essay -- Feminism Feminist Wo

A Feminist Reading of A muliebrity on a Roof The short story, A Woman on a Roof, by Doris Lessing may sympathizem to be ab forth a few man position who become annoyed with a char because she suns herself out on her roof. The work force feel that she is a distraction and are obviously bothered by her presence. They are not happy that this sunbather is out there on show and illustrate these feelings of discontent by constantly whistling and yelling at her. The work force also make several rude and sexist com ments to her end-to-end the story. In a time period such as the unmatchable this story takes place in, males were considered far superior to women, and comments such as the hotshots the men make would not be considered out of the ordinary. What is extremely surprising, and quite out of the ordinary, however, is the fact that this woman did not even seem bothered by their actions. When this is taken into consideration, it is revealed that the real source of the mens anger toward the woman is not simply because she was sunning herself, but rather, was due to the fact that she showed indigence toward them in a time when women were expected to submit to mens demands. The men in this story obviously have strong feelings of superiority and power over the opposite sex, and expect that women forget naturally give in to their demands. These feelings are illustrated as early as in the opening paragraph, when they see the woman for the first time. While working, They made jokes about getting an clod from some woman in the flats under them, to poach it for dinner (Lessing 856). much(prenominal) a comment demonstrates the mens beliefs about gender roles that women will be home, not working, and eager to serve men. The comments continue later on, when referring to the woman as ... ...woman And, while she may not have earned women the full to vote or gained women admission into institutes of higher education, she stood up for herself in a normal everyday sit uation, and thats a start. She is a woman who was one of the exceptions in her era she was not just a woman on a roof, but rather a hero of her generation. full treatment Cited Allen, Orphia Jane. Doris Lessing. all of a sudden Story Criticism, vol. 6. Ed. Thomas Votteler. Detroit Gale Research, 1990. Atack, Margaret. Doris Lessing. Short Story Criticism, vol. 6. Ed. Thomas Votteler. Detroit Gale Research, 1990. Lessing, Doris. A Woman on a Roof. The Harper Anthology of Fiction. Ed. Sylvan Barnet. New York Harper Collins, 1991. 856-862. Works Consulted Baron, Mary. Doris Lessing. Critical Survey of Short Fiction, vol. 4. Ed. Frank N. Magill. Pasadena Salem Press, 1993.