A Crippled Population: The missed

chances of women

Sarah Cordeiro
Ms. Fortuna
English 12H, D
29 October 2009
 Critical
Postmodern
Theory

Oppression of
Tradition minority groups

The women of
Grover’s Corner
are not offered the
opportunities they
should be
afforded

Critical Critical
Sociocultural Feminist Theory
Theory

Lack of
opportunity
 Critical Postmodern Theory
• P: The women of Grover’s Corners are stuck in a modern society, without any
opportunity to reach a postmodern society.

• E: “No, he said it might make him discontented with Grover’s Corners to go traipsin’
about Europe; better let well enough alone, he says.” (Wilder, 20) Despite Mrs. Gibbs’
interest in Paris, because it is out of the normal to travel to Paris is something new, Mr.
Gibbs is not willing to try something new.

• P: “The classical tradition has made its strongest and most direct impact.” (Borgmeier 1)
The people of Grover’s Corners stay with what they know, tradition. Tradition is the biggest
impact on the citizens of Grover’s Corner, they are unwilling to try anything new.

• I: The residents of Grover’s Corners have become accustomed to the way they live, and
are afraid to go out and try new things. They are not willing to experience the better things
in life because they are afraid of what they might find. They are comfortable with what they
know, and want to stick with comfortable. This applies to the women because they do not
experience new things, for example a trip to Paris. Despite the possible want for change,
they are not able to experience it because of they way Grover’s Corners is.
 Critical Feminist Theory
• P: Women are not afforded the opportunities they deserve, so they follow the
tradition of their mothers and grandmothers.

• E: “‘Well I always feel it’s something you have to go through.’” (Wilder 29) Emily
talks about school like a chore because for girls that was all it was, they had no chance
of furthering their education, or using it for any other purposes other than at home.

• P: “ His plays celebrate human love, the worth and dignity of man, the values of
man” (Corrigan 168) This leaves out women, he mentions the values of men, but not
of women, showing that Wilder wrote thinking of men not of women.

• I: Women are not given the equal opportunities of those of the men in this novel.
The women are stuck as housewives, mothers. Some may have no problem with this,
but it is a wasted talent for some. Emily was a great orator, but was unable to share
her gift. Mrs. Gibbs was interested in Paris, but her husband did not have an interest
which meant she did not either. The women are not meant to be especially pretty or
smart, they are supposed to be average and fit the mold.
 Critical Sociocultural Theory
• P: Women have become victims of tradition. The society and culture they are apart of causes
them to follow the examples they are shown, and those examples do not allow for women to have a
chance to be independent.

• E: “But Mrs. Webb – she wasn’t much older than what Emily is.” (Wilder 60) This shows the
tradition of Grover’s Corners. Emily’s mother married young, and Emily is marrying young, it is
normal and expected of the women.

• P: “Love blends imperceptibly into marriage, and the simple action seems concluded.” (Ballet
245) This relates to the tradition that has formed, you get married, it is expected based on the
culture and society of Grover’s Corner. There is no if, or maybe, it just happens.

• I: Despite the uproar of George getting married young, and throwing away his baseball career,
there is no objection of Emily getting married so young. This is because of the tradition that has
formed in the culture and society of Grover’s Corners. The norm is for the women to be married
young, give up their independence/freedom for their marriage and their kids. They do not have a
chance to pursue their own careers because of tradition. Emily’s mother was not any older that
she was, and that is the norm for Grover’s Corners.
 Synthesis
Grover’s Corner is a town that thrives on tradition. It is the same as it always has
been. The people of this town are not willing to look out side of what they are used
to, or have been exposed to (Critical Postmodern Theory). The women in particular
are not afforded the opportunities to explore new avenues of their lives
(Critical Feminist Theory). For example Mrs. Gibbs is interested in going to Paris but
Mr. Gibbs is afraid of change, and he has the last say. Also Emily is one of the
brightest girls in school, but she does not get to use that knowledge fully due
to her early marriage and death (Critical Sociocultural Theory). She had great
potential, but because of the society that she was brought up in, she knew
nothing else but to get married, and be a wife. There is no room for a woman
to take a position of authority. No women in the story have jobs, or other
interests, outside of the role of a housewife. Most of the women area part of the
choir, and even the choir director is a man. Thorton writes this text with a sense of
how the women were treated, especially in this time period. He stereotypes
small town life, and captured a rather true look at it. The women are not given
chances, and that is how society was.