Paradise Lost and the Gender Dynamics of Today

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Ever since I posed the question “How does Milton’s characterizations of Adam and Eve connect to the gender dynamics of today?” as my discussion question, I have been thinking about this topic frequently.

Consequently, the idea of gender inequality came up in my sociology class today. While people are starting to take the issue of gender inequality more seriously, there is still a big difference in the way that men and women are treated in places like the household and the workplace. For example, I know of a woman who was given a secretary position at a bank despite the fact that she was more than qualified to be a banker. Also, one of my classmate’s mother who held a high position at her workplace was still expected to bring coffee to the meetings. In my household, my father comes before my mother, my sister, or me. We bring him food and wait for him to take a shower.

These ideas about men being superior than women have been embedded into our society and I believe the way that Eve is depicted in Paradise Lost is one basis of the gender dynamics that exist today. Eve is at the bottom of the hierarchy and is subservient to Adam. She believes what Adam tells her unquestioningly and when she becomes independent, she clashes with Adam and is persuaded by Satan to break the rules. In our class discussion, we talked about how it is almost like Milton is warning against the independence of women and how such active behavior from women can have consequences. Eve is also depicted as being vain and weak minded.

Of course, many factors have played big parts in the shaping of gender norms in society. So my question is this: How much has Paradise Lost influenced the gender stereotypes of today? Did Milton’s narration strengthen or weaken the gender stereotypes posed by the Genesis?

3 responses to “Paradise Lost and the Gender Dynamics of Today”

  1. imanibooks341 Avatar
    imanibooks341

    I love your post and appreciate you sharing your own experience with these inferior roles that women take on. To answer your question, I believe that, like with the Bible it is based on interpretation. For example, some people may believe that Eve was meant to be weak and deserved to be punished. However other people may take away from Paradise Lost the idea that women have the true power, as Francess shared in her post. I believe that many times, people in positions of power use texts to prove their own biased statements. So in that instance, I believe that Milton continued the societal norms that women were given. However, he also gave them more power than was seen in the rest of society at that time. So it is very interesting. But I feel like it goes back to the interpretation of the Bible. Many people have given the argument that, or turn away from religion because, women are given the role of serving the men in their lives. However, personally, I believe that it is a balanced relationship and women have power in their relationships. But in the Bible God decides that one of women’s punishments would be their subservience to man (I honestly believe that He was saying that they would be SEEN AS subservient, not actually so). So people have used that to keep women down. That may not be accurate though; that’s just how they see it based on their own experiences and gender stereotypes. That is just my interpretation, though. I’m sorry for rambling but basically I am saying that Milton’s depiction of women only advanced the arguments of those who already believed that women should be subservient, and strengthened the arguments against those roles for people who were already feminists.

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    1. mayostories Avatar
      mayostories

      Thank you for commenting on my blog Taylor! That’s a very insightful argument and I never looked at it like that before. (I was literally saying “wow” after reading your comment.) I think your idea about advancing the argument for both sides is very interesting. Coming from a non-religious background, I have always heard the argument of the dominant side which is that women are depicted as subservient in the story of the Genesis. I also liked what you said about God saying that women would be seen as subservient as opposed to be subservient. That parallels to what is happening slowly in society right now where women who are being seen as subservient fight back against stereotypes. I guess it is a fight we were always destined for.

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      1. imanibooks341 Avatar
        imanibooks341

        Thank you, and yes, I believe it is. This topic is so interesting and I am so glad that you wrote about it!

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