The Role of Genders; The Hand by Sidonie-Garielle Colette

The obedient role of the female in a marriage or relationship is a common problem in many societies, including our own American society. This role has become so common that in fact it is now expected of the female. This male dominance goes as far back as the human race, to the beginning of relationships and marriage between the female and the male. The physical competency of the male led to his dominance in all situations and thus formed these roles. Even presently, with all our advances in equal rights and women’s advances in the work fields, this role of compliance and passivity is still present among our society. As a women myself, I find it hard to understand why women accept this role.

These roles are ingrained into our society. The men are raised to lead and take charge. Women, on the other hand, are taught that their place is to keep peace, and in most scenarios that means conforming. There are many reasons women accept or allow this role. For many women, they find safety in allowing the male to dominate the relationship. The dominant role of a male is familiar or so expected that the women fear changing the situation. Many authors illustrate this role of the sexes and p

Why does she choose this life? For the young wife, as for many women who accept the same path, there is security in the non-dominant role. All the decisions are made for them. Also, it might be that she knows no other love. This is her first relationship and she is still an adolescent. She does not know if these roles are normal and accepted, but she also doesn’t know if they are not. This life is still exciting and new to her, and for the most part she enjoys it. He is not abusive all the time; in fact he is often charming. The next morning he shows his charming side when he asks “Do you want this slice, darling? I’ll butter it for you” (Meyer 164).

By the conclusion of the story, the wife realizes the power he has over her. In realizing this, she has the chance to free herself of this controlling state. However, she chooses to surrender. The final line, “Then she concealed her fear, bravely subdued herself, and, beginning her life of duplicity, of resignation, and of a lowly, delicate diplomacy, she leaned over and humbly kissed the monstrous hand” (Meyer 164), shows that she decides not to change her situation, but rather accept her role of obedience.

The wife, as do many women, almost tricks herself into thinking that he is not bad because he can do well sometimes. And the times he is good, he is really kind. The wife decides she can accept her fate in the role of acknowledgment because she begins to think it isn’t that bad all the time. Also, she was used to submitting under her parent’s authority. This is the first time she is not under the watchful eye of her parents. That wasn’t that long prior to this story. Therefore, the compliant role is familiar and less frightening than change. People are afraid of change and for many women, diminishing these roles would require change.

The young wife is described as slim and adolescent. The husband, on the other hand, is described as having physical, not only mental, power. He is handsome, athletic, and physically dominant. He has very big arms, hands larger than the wives whole head, and “powerful knuckles and the veins engorged by the pressure on his arm” (Meyer 164). By describing him such as big and powerful with hair on his hands and arms, the author portrays him as an animal of sorts. At one part of the story, the wife even remarks on this when she says, “It’

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