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CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
In this chapter, the problems formulated in the earlier chapter are answered
. Based on the problems formulated, this chapter is divided into two parts
. The first part describes how the character Eva undergoes related to her roles as a housewife and a mother in the story
“Tell Me a Riddle”. The second part is how the character Eva react to the stereotypes, set by the society, addressed
towards her as a women in the story Tell Me a Riddle written by Tillie Olsen .
A. Eva and Her Roles Related to Gender
As mentioned, “Tell Me a Riddle”
was published as a part of a four story collection in 1961. Tell Me a Riddle served as the main title of that collection. Out
of the four stories, “Tell Me a Riddle” is placed the last and the story tells about the
marriage of an aging Russian immigrant couple named Eva and David. In spite of the fact that the collection consists of four different short stories, the first
three stories are related to Eva’s family. The previous three separated stories tell
each of Eva’s child and their struggles with their own family and the society in relation to racism. The three stories then lead the readers to Eva as the heroine.
With that said, researcher discusses about the characteristics of Eva as she is the protagonist of the short story “Tell Me a Riddle”. The researcher chooses Eva as
she fits the idea of feminism best in the story.
This subchapter shows two of Eva’s different sides as a figure in the
society. Even though it is divided into two small parts accordingly to Eva’s role in
the society , Eva’s roles are interrelated. As a person, the society stereotyped her as
a woman with the duty as a housewife and a mother. So, Eva here is presented as David’s wife and a mother of her seven kids.
1. Eva as a Housewife
Eva has been married to David and she has been a victim of gender inequality in the process as she is treated unfairly and is at lost compared to David.
She has limited access in the society and she has no room to express her opinion. As a housewife, she is expected to be in the house and run the errands. This part
explains how Eva’s relationship with David is portrayed related to the gender
stereotyping which exist in the society. As a woman, Eva is expected to be a housewife by the society
. As the story is written in the nineteenth century, the standard of a
“good” woman is affected by the devotion of Queen Victoria
. The Queen’s domestic life sets the
ideal life for the women of this age . It includes women to take
care of her husband and her children above all else as a sole purpose of living
. The poem “The Angel in the House” by Coventry Patmore shares the
similar view and gives contribution on how to treat women in this era . As a
woman, Eva is given limited access in the society and limited chance to voice her opinion
. She also bears the responsibility to take care of her husband and her
children while David gets to go out and socialize . There are some parts which
show how Eva has no rights to say her own opinion.