Feministic View of McCullers’ “The Member of the Wedding” Critical Essay

In her writing, McCullers aims to achieve a whole mind by using protagonist approach to present both the feminine and masculine gender in the society.

Due to frustration, suffering, and emotional tones in the main character Frankie, the author creates a feminist understanding of the society in which Frankie lives in. Thus, this analytical paper presents a feminist approach in understanding the theory of gender imbalance in “The Member of the Weeding society”.

The self regulating society offers a facilitated explanation for common support on gender imbalance as a fundamental ruler of perception on doctrines of its members.

The author is intrinsic on the above idea and is consistent in exploring possible reasons behind specific antagonist and protagonist inclination of different characters (Kira 6).

Reflectively, Frankie talks about her frustrations concerning the fearful deep hole between her and other people which causes in her a ‘disease’ that makes her unfit in the society.

For instance, the author asserts, “All other people had a we to claim, all other except her. When Berenice said we, she meant Honey and Big Mama, her lodge, or her church” (McCullers 42).

Based on this argument, it is clear that unfulfilled desires stop proactive thought arrangement that is often responsible for aligning beliefs to realities of life, especially when the point of disagreement is of gender nature.

Generally, personal interests form a wide blanket in the thoughts of these patriarchal characters who introduce an interesting twist on the need to recognize the supernatural power when in problems. Interestingly, “it was as though a question came into her heart, and the sky did not answer” (McCullers 24).

Gender understanding of life varies from different backgrounds. The engine that ignites an unending desire to fulfill social satisfaction is basically love, unity in family, and self consciousness as seen in the character of Frankie who is in a quest to earn recognition.

Upon completing her story, gender disparity between males and females are connected by a delicate balance between societal inclination and nature.

Interestingly, all the fear factors limiting personal expression and reflection are destroyed in the newly found common ground of waiting for a miracle to free the young female stuck in the rubbles. Religion grooms people to be caring. In fact, “when you look at each other, the eyes make a connection.

Then you go off one way. And he goes off another way. You go off into different parts of town, and maybe you never see each other again” (McCullers 114).

Frankie has a divided self which imprisons and puts restraints on her relationship with men. The feminine roles are so unfulfilling to her, and due to her fear of feminine roles, she lives in denial (Kira 9).

Frankie feels insincere and guilty about being compelled to relieve her brother from her party. Her continuous fight against these limitations through her thoughts bears no fruit and she cannot find fulfillment.

She is confused about her romantic relationship, and while she understands its beauty, she is also aware of its degradation. “Frankie did not know, but she could feel her squeezed heart beating against the table edge. The world is certainly a small place”(McCullers 6).

Here, McCullers is of the opinion that only an androgynous mind could be fully creative in thoughts, as it allows freedom of the mind of any restriction or inhibition that gender stereotypes laid upon the development of a unique personality which could express itself freely. In her view, androgyny is not the absence of gender but rather gender unconsciousness.

Conclusively, gender imbalance enables the writer to articulate her ideas in writings to summarize gender orientation and eliminate the egotistic nature of most human beings. This balanced state of mind is known to warrant that wholesome creativity and facts important for individual functionality.

However, many critics are of the opinion that McCullers’ views are spontaneous and might not quantify the actual phenomena.

Works Cited

Kira, Cochrane. A review of the book “Women of the Revolution: Forty Years of Feminism” 2010. Web.

McCullers, Carson. The Member Of The Wedding, New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1946. Print.