Last month, I discussed "battle axe women" and their position in literature and society. Continuing with this theme, this month I will discuss the so-called "victim" or "damsel in distress" type of woman that is a popular characterization in some pieces of literature. This past month, we read Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. The plot of Wuthering Heights surrounds the doomed love of Catherine and Heathcliff. Internal conflict arises in Heathcliff due to his unrequited love for Catherine, who, due to societal circumstances, chooses to not allow herself to follow her love for Heathcliff. The consequences of this choice unfold throughout the remainder of the novel, as Heathcliff destroys others and Catherine destroys herself.
Heathcliff's response to his doomed love is to act out in revenge. Offended by Catherine's choice to pursue and marry Edgar, Heathcliff plots to court Isabella, knowing Edgar vehemently disapproves. Through his relationship with Isabella, Heathcliff is able to hurt both Catherine and Edgar. Due to Heathcliff's choice to target Edgar and the resulting tension and conflict, Catherine falls ill. In my opinion, Catherine was playing "victim" in this situation. Instead of accepting her choice to marry Edgar (despite her love for Heathcliff), she wallows in self-pity. At the start of the novel, I had faith in Catherine since she appeared to be a passionate and strong-willed individual. Yet, her decline shows that she is, in fact, not a resolute individual, but a frail one.
Just as "battle-axe women" appear in today's society, so do "damsels in distress." Once again I find myself referencing Tyler Perry's Madea movies. Not only does Madea represent "battle-axe women," but she also teaches other women to follow her example. In Madea Goes to Jail, Madea finds herself preaching forgiveness. She states, "Everybody got a life. What you do with that life is up to you. Stop being the victim." Once again, in Madea's Family Reunion, Madea teaches a woman in an abusive relationship to not be a "victim," but to fight back (by throwing hot grits in the face of her physically abusive fiancé and fighting him off with a hot skillet).
Much to my disappointment, Catherine played "victim" in Wuthering Heights and as a result, destroyed herself. If only Catherine had known Madea, she would have had the courage to end the conflict between Edgar and Heathcliff that ultimately killed her. Yet, I believe it was Catherine's choice to stop fighting and because of that, the novel was not able to elicit any pity for Catherine from me. Maybe, Catherine did not have to be a "battle-axe woman, " but I wish she at least had the strength to better herself.
Song of the Month: "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor
