Introduction
The theme of relations between men and women has always been topical in literature. Authors have always been using it as the background for their stories. They described conflicts emerging because of social factors, barriers to their romantic feelings, or other factors. However, most stories were narrated from the perspective of male superiority and patriarchal views. It was explained by the male dominance in society and the absence of tolerance.
The situation altered in the 20th century, and new perspectives on gender relations emerged. People recognized women’s rights for equality, freedom, and independence. Literature played a significant role in promoting this shift in mentalities. For instance, the utopian novel “Herland” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman introduces a new perspective on gender roles and relations, stating that they can be built on trust and equality rather than outdated stereotypes.
Background
In general, the new perspective on relations between males and females and a new form of marriage can be associated with the rise and spread of the ideas of feminism. The 20th century was characterized by the emergence and popularization of numerous ideas implying the necessity to reconsider the balance of power and introduce a new paradigm of relations based on individuals’ capabilities (Reed 867). It created the basis for the fast growth of Marxist and feminist ideas, emphasizing the stereotypical attitude toward big classes of individuals and the obsolete nature of these views. The literature responded to these changes by offering new utopian societies free from past unfair practices. The world created by Gilman in her novel can be linked to this cohort.
“Herland” and Feminism
Herland is a utopian world consisting only of women who have a developed society. It is built on the ideas of tolerance, fair attitude, and justice (Gilman). As a result, male arrivals Vandyck Jennings, Terry Nicholson, and Jeff Margrave observe a peaceful and tranquil country (Gilman). However, Gilman avoids introducing the idea that it is achieved due to the absence of males or the dominant number of women (Christensen 293).
On the contrary, by creating a story that can be viewed as the feminist manifest, Gilman avoids blaming males for evil and unfair things occurring in the world (Christensen 293). Instead, she shifts priorities to the conformation between two mentalities and the necessity of a new one, characterized by the absence of biased attitudes or stereotypical judgments. It would be the rise of the new era characterized by the dominance of humanistic values.
Clash of Cultures
Gilman’s perspective on the distribution of roles within marriage and relations can be viewed in the clash of cultures. The arrival of three men means that it is possible to restore opposite-sex relations. However, it triggers the opposition between the Western and Herlandinan cultures. Women brought up in an atmosphere of tolerance and recognition of their power to rule and manage their lives on their own want to save the egalitarian spirit (Gilman). At the same time, following their stereotypical judgments about marriage, men expect their new wives to become obedient and perform traditional gender roles (Gilman). This confrontation proves the idea that Gilman is not ready to accept old views on relations as they are discriminative. Instead, people can acquire new ones that are more relevant and not follow the major stereotypes about gender.
Marriage as the Opportunity for Change
Following the author’s central message, it is possible to view marriage as an opportunity for radical change. Gilman shows that the three men who arrived in Herland have their own representations of the future bond and relations within it. At the same time, she says, “What we imagined, before marriage, did not matter any more than what an average innocent young girl imagines” (Gilman). The lines show that the author rejects the old and outdated representations and offers to build a new one based on what people in love want. It can be a key to establishing trust and respect relations instead of trying to dominate and play a leading role. The plot proves this idea, as Van and Jeff, who manage to adapt and change their beliefs about marriage and consider their wives’ interests, are happy, while Terry, with his unreadiness to alter, is expelled from the utopian island.
Motherhood
Moreover, Gilman touches upon the problem of gender roles by discussing the theme of strong or weak sex and motherhood. The Western society’s view on the problem is reflected by Jeff’s words, “We assume that motherhood is a sufficient burden—that men should carry all the others” (Gilman). On the one hand, this attitude implies respect for women who manage to give birth and handle all hardships associated with this role. However, from another perspective, it also makes their position vulnerable, as they are viewed as the weak sex who needs constant support and assistance. Inhabitants of the Herland reject this assumption by their lifestyles, meaning that motherhood can be viewed as a discriminating factor depriving females of the right to do what they want.
The Theme of Last Names
The theme of last names is another approach used by Gilman to introduce her vision of new relations that can exist between men and women. Terry, who represents the aggressive, biased, and stereotypical Western tradition, is sure last names should be changed as the symbol of belonging. He explains that “a wife is the woman who belongs to the man,” meaning that a wife should be totally controlled by a husband (Gilman). However, Gilman opposes this old tradition in Alima’s words “Then she just loses hers and takes a new one—how unpleasant! We won’t do that!”. The author shows an outsider’s perspective and a fair attitude to this discriminative pattern. She also introduces the necessity of a new one, implying the preservation of last names as a sign of respect.
Traditional and New
In such a way, the novel by Gilman highlights the choice between the traditional perspective on gender roles, marriage, and sex and new ones. The author emphasizes that following the Western tradition, “The woman may have imagined the conditions of married life to be different (Gilman). These words emphasize the male’s rights to introduce rules and ignore their wives’ expectations (Gilman). However, Gilman states that this practice should be canceled as it is vital to adapt to a marriage based on choice and respect instead of possession and obedience. As a result, this choice becomes one of the central themes of the story and proves the importance of introducing new views on gender roles. Terry’s example shows that the inability to adapt should be treated by exclusion.
Violence
Gilman also introduces the problem of violence and the use of force in relations. The author accepts that by protecting old practices and their stereotypes, men can use force to make women behave as they want. Terry wants his wife to act as he expects and be obedient; he wants sex, “the male sex, naturally; its special values,” disregarding Alima’s desires. (Gilman). Following the author’s idea, this behavior cannot be tolerated in the new paradigm of relations, and Terry is expelled from Herland (Gilman). This storyline proves the idea that relations built on mutual respect and attention to partners’ needs are more beneficial and have a favorable impact on gender roles. The couples who accepted fresh rules became happier and enjoyed a strong feeling and support.
Expectations and Traditions
The story also shows that expectations linked to social stereotypes and accepted gender roles might be a severe barrier to happiness and building happy relations. Van, Jeff, and Terry married women from Herland with their expectations and visions. They wanted females to perform their traditional roles as it is prescribed to women by society. At the same time, Celis, Alima, and Ellador are free from these views and expectations as they were raised in a more democratic society (Gilman). As a result, women become the facilitators of change as their rejection to accept the bounds of traditional and unfair marriage creates the basis for the emergence of new relations based on trust and tolerance.
The problem touched upon by Gilman and her idea of a fresh perspective on gender roles can be analyzed regarding the power of traditions. As stated previously, the story introduces a new view on relations within marriage and gender roles. It rejects the powerful traditions that have existed in society since ancient times. The idea of a man as a warrior and a woman as a housekeeper loses its relevance and cannot be applied to modern relations. “Herland” proves it by the absence of threats to women and, as a result, the lack of necessity to protect them (Gilman). For this reason, traditions become insignificant, and feelings and real people’s demands become the only aspects that should help to build new relations within a couple.
New View on Relations
In such a way, numerous arguments prove that “Herland” cultivates the idea of new relationships and perspectives on gender roles. Being one of the feminist strongholds in the literature, the novel does not demonize men as the primary sources of evil and pressure caused on women (Sands 180). Instead, it introduces the idea that most males are also bound to stereotypes and old traditions, making them behave in a specific way. Gilman views the solution to the problem as adapting to new conditions and considering the partners’ needs. The couples who managed to do it became happy and created a new type of marriage characterized by mutual respect and support.
Conclusion
Altogether, the utopian novel “Herland” by Gilman discusses the important themes of equality, relations between males and women, and gender roles. The author introduces a new perspective on these issues, stating that marriage, as a basic form of interaction, can be built on trust and equality rather than outdated stereotypes. Discussing the most prevalent stereotypes peculiar to Western culture, the author destroys them by creating the image of a strong and free woman raised in a society free from frames of biased attitudes and views. As a result, it opens the way to a new form of relations between a husband and wife, implying adapting, negotiating, cooperating, and mutual support.
Works Cited
Christensen, Andrew. “Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “Herland” and the Tradition of the Scientific Utopia.” The Journal of the Society for Utopian Studies, vol. 28, no. 2, 2017, pp. 286-304. Web.
Gilman, Charlotte. “Herland.” Standard Ebooks, 2020. Web.
Reed, Jean-Pierre, and Carlos Garrido. “On Marxism and Feminism: On Divergences and Commonalities.” Critical Sociology, vol. 48, no. 4-5, 2022, pp. 867-877. Web.
Sands, Peter. “Utopias and dystopias.” The Routledge Companion to Imaginary Worlds, edited by Mark Wolf, Routledge, 2017, pp. 177-183.