Theory of Needs Review of Related Theories
34 concerned to their freedom in taking care of their own families. Gladney 1994,
p.6 in Marshall 1999, p.1 gives explanation that the roles of the southern black woman and the southern white woman are equally important and equally
oppressive by saying “in a culture where marriage and motherhood were women’s primary roles, neither black nor white women were free to be fully wives or
mothers, and neither were able to shield their children from the physical and physic destrucion of the racist society in which they lived”.
The typical African American women in the South is a cook, housekeeper, maid, or all wrapped into one and work for at least one white family. Smith 1994,
130 in Marshall 1999, p.1 said that “it was not a rare sight in my generation to see a black woman with a dark baby at one breast and a white one at the other,
rocking them both in her wide lap”. It can be seen that they are doing double jobs, taking care of white families and their own family. Beyond as baby-sitter, they
also work as family counselor, confidant, and nurse for the entire white family. They can only go taking care of their own family when their responsibility of their
white families have been done. Besides, the southern white women also have important role. They are
responsible for maintaining the Southern Tradition which are made by white men. According to Smith 1994, p.142 in Marshall 1999, p.2 the white woman in
South establishes “the ‘do’ and the ‘don’t’ of behavior in her children and believes, ‘if you could just keep from them all the things that must never be
mentioned, all would be well’”. At the same time, white women in South sit atop the pedestal of Sacred Womanhood which is built by their husband and his white
35 ancestors for them. The Southern Tradition causes the southern white women to
be alienated from their children because it makes the children feel uncomfortable with such discipline and propriety. As the result, the children would feel more
comfortable and relaxed around their “non-authoritative figure” maids. When the white mother busy protecting the Southern Tradition by avoiding conversation
topics related to sensitive subjects such as sex and race, the white children will go to their African American maids who will answer all of their questions and
curiosity because the maids are “easy, permissive, and less afraid of simple earthy
biological needs and manifestations” Marshall, 1999, p.2. Both black women and white women living in South have equal important
roles. Southern black women have to neglect their husbands and children in the interest of their white employers’ families. The southern white women can never
be true to themselves, their husbands, or their children because they have to be true to Southern Tradition which does not value the emotions or differing opinions
of women. Smith 1994, pp. 142-143 in Marshall 1999, p.2 explained that “southern white women know there is something evil in their society, and because
they did not believe things could change or that they should though they could not have told you why they had to shut their minds against knowledge of what
existed.” However, these cases are the reality that are found in the novel as well. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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