Introduction
Charles Brown’s Wieland or transformation novel addressed the concepts of cultural values and norms of women in society. The themes within the gothic novel portray women using various elements; on the one hand, women are empowered, while on the other hand, they are victims of male dominance and supremacy. First, the gender is depicted as empowered individuals through Clara’s characters and role in the story settings. Brown captures his readers’ attention by making a woman the protagonist of the story. Women’s voices are powerful in Clara’s letter, and the character intends to address the rot of society in creating male supremacy over women. Clara achieved the desire by exposing Theodore as the murderer of his wife and children. Secondly, Brown challenges his audiences to depend on societal myths in the description of women’s roles and responsibilities. Clara’s life events, both as an empowered woman and victim to male patriarchal whims, portrays Brown’s arguments about the cultural norms of women and how the message comments upon contemporary American Society.
Gender Inequality
Although Brown incorporated women’s rights in the Wieland or transformation novel, the book victimizes gender. The question of gender equality drives readers’ attention toward the assessment of the American literature text. According to Brown (168), women were seen as subjects to men. For example, Brown wrote that “I have been the fool of passion and inconstancy. My purposes have wavered from day to day, but it is time to shake this irresolution and trample on this cowardice” (383). These words were said by Clara, who wanted transformation for other women. As the story approaches its climax, Poppen (20) suggests that Clara confesses to the struggles and sacrifices she made for men. After the death of their parents, the writer of the letter in Wieland or transformation left a more significant portion of the will and inheritance to the brother. She feared societal bullying that would arise with the equal sharing of his father’s wealth.
Victimization of Women
The voices of women are undermined on the bases of gender and feminism. Brown introduces his audience to ancient America, where men dominated everything; the writer uses Clara’s situation to showcase the cultural values of women in society. Theodore, Clara’s brother, took a larger share of family wealth, leaving his sister in a small room. The main character in Brown’s book accepted her fate because she feared stereotypes who perceived men as more meaningful and influential people than women. Mlambo-Ngcuka and Osotimehin (13) commented that women had been objectified for the longest time based on their weaknesses and fear of societal values and cultures. Society protects men more than women, which is why Clara left their home for his brother and his wife-to-be. Brown resorted to creating awareness of the values of women and their significance to the community through reverse psychology.
Role of Women in Creating Sanity
Using Clara to reveal men’s hidden and dirty secrets in Brown’s novel depicts the cultural values of women in creating sanity. “My heart was now somewhat eased off a load of apprehension. I returned once more to my chamber, the door of which I was careful to lock. It was no time to think of repose,” (Brown 121). Henry, Clara’s husband, was mad when he found a stranger at his house. Carwin is a silent but traumatizing figure in the narration; the man plots to rape Clara many times despite knowing his husband (Brown 176). Carwin had a talent for speaking in different voices and took advantage of young women. Theodore killed his wife and children in cold blood to protest Carwin’s actions. Theodore suspected his wife of sleeping with Carwin while, in reality, the character was a rapist. Sexualizing women enhanced Clara to bring sanity to the community through true investigations of his brothers’ traits.
Women Render Verdict on Perpetrators
The culture of empowering women in Wieland or the transformation novel revealed the cultural values and roles of gender within American societies. Culturally, women are the heart of every community. Likewise, Poppen (19) compared the values of contemporary and traditional women to aid the understanding of cultural norms. Connecting the idea in the analysis of Clara’s letter exhibits women’s strengths in standing for what is right. Societal morality is pegged on women’s voices; the gender is disciplinarian in American settings and communities. Brown uses the powers of a woman in relaying law concepts; according to Poppen (17), Clara presented evidence regarding the involvement of Theodore in the killing of his wife and children. Despite being Theodore’s brother, Clara chose morality over family; she presented witnesses and tried to render a verdict over the murder of Catharine. Brown emulated communal beliefs alongside law to address the cultural role of women in correcting immorality.
Contemporary American Society
Even though Brown’s story is set around the 1760s, the themes addressed in the novel commemorate the recent happenings in American communities. The comments on women’s empowerment impact American communities to value women. Mlambo-Ngcuka and Osotimehin (16) echoed that the modern American environment fights for women’s rights and freedoms; Brown must have made a great effort to persuade his audience to embrace empowerment. Unlike witnessed today, the traditional American Justice System isolated women in courtrooms. However, modern criminology students can use Clara’s traits to convince the contemporary American community to adopt and accept women in the profession. The journey toward criminal justice begins with women’s empowerment to participate in such activities.
In contrast, the presentability of women as sex objects in Wieland or transformation hit the contemporary American community differently. Brown’s preference to isolate women from developmental projects and planning societal issues threatens the American dream. Modern Americans aim to achieve gender equality and growth for every individual without discrimination. Brown’s comments on the cultural values of women to drive change and sanity within the community helps contemporary American citizens to support and stand with their women. Women are part of the community because the evolving American society has realized the importance of gender balance. Brown’s choices of isolating women from men in the community have changed the perceptions of modern literature students on the cultural values of women.
Conclusion
In summary, Clara’s characteristics in Wieland or transformation portray women both as an enemy and a valuable contributors to societal growth. Brown empowered Clara to participate in letter writing and investigate the death of Catharine and Theodore’s children. Women became enemies in the book when they chose to stand with sanity over family. The male dominance and supremacy over women in Brown’s text differentiate mythological and factual issues on gender roles and cultural values of women in contemporary society. Although women passed through painful incidences in Brown’s writing, the author brings hope to future generations by selecting Clara as the book’s lead character.
Works Cited
Brown, Charles B. Wieland or the Transformation: An American Tale and Other Stories. Modern Library, 2002.
Mlambo-Ngcuka, Phumzile, and Babatunde Osotimehin. “Empowerment of women and youth.” 2016. Web.
Poppen, Anna. A Hopeless Endeavor. The Quest for Knowledge in Wieland: Or the Transformation and in “The Fall of the House of Usher”. GRIN Verlag, 2013.