I’ve often felt that in modern society, girls and women face a pressure to reject traditionally feminine activities, interests, and roles in order to avoid appearing shallow or superficial. In addition, I’ve noticed that girls and women who demonstrate strength, assertiveness, or independence are often compared to their male peers while simultaneously held in contrast with other members of their gender—typically with the use of the phrase “not like other girls.” As a result, I’ve often sensed that our society treats femininity as a natural sign of weakness and ineffectiveness and masculinity, conversely, as a symbol of success and power.
While reading Louisa May Alcott’s “Behind a Mask” and Zitkala-Sa’s “A Warrior’s Daughter” for my EN 120 class, I was intrigued by how the female leads of these stories harnessed their traditionally feminine traits to achieve their goals, as if they recognized their femininity as a unique gift rather than a hindrance. I was also struck by the irony in how these characters played upon oppressive norms and expectations of women to outwit their opponents. My essay, motivated by these ideas, strives to highlight the notion that strength, courage, and independence are every bit as fundamental to a woman’s nature as to a man’s.
AI HUE NGUYEN is a rising sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, currently majoring in English. From Washington Township, New Jersey, she chose to attend college in Boston in order to fulfill her dream to live in a major city. She enjoys running, playing tennis, playing the guitar, reading, and writing. She would like to thank her family, especially her parents, for their constant support and guidance, as well as her awesome English professor, Ms. Barrett, for all of her constructive feedback, encouragement, and positivity.