FEMINIST CRITISM OF THE STONE CARVERS :: essays research papers

The feminist approach of the St integrity Carvers altogetherows us to look at Klaras role as a spinster in a new perspective. It allows us to analyze the role of a woman in the first mavin-half of the twentieth century. A womans role in the early twentieth century quench revolved around serving the male members of ones family. Klara was tied to the traditional role of a female. She would have chores as well as having to make supper for her father, grand father and sometimes Eamon. Klara was more license than the average woman because she was taught two arts by two masters. She could tailor suits, and carve wood. She had two skills that were named to be mans skills. Her knowledge gave her the occasion to stamp down what happened in her life. Klara was respected in her town for her skills because they usually came to her to make suits. Eamon acknowledged her skill and asked her to make a red suit. Her knowledge of these skills gave her more independence, freedom and power. She w as one of the few female members in her community who had their own income. She had freedom to do what she wanted with her life but she was still restricted by her smart set because she was still a woman. Time plays a key part in the role of women. In the late nineteenth century, Klaras grandmother was an excellent tailor. She tailored suits for all members of the community as well as for Father Gstir. She always referred to herself as a seamstress because she was a woman and at this time period a womans skilled was less valued than the skill of a man. The battle for equality between men and women is clearly depicted by Helga. Klaras mother always stated that she was a tailor rather than a seamstress. She valued her skills greatly and taught Klara to be proud. Klara can carve and tailor, so she had more power than the generations of women before her time. Klara Beckers role as a spinster in the novel gives her to have an advantage over other women. As a spinster, society allows her to be a bit eccentric. Taking over the farm after the death of her father and grandfather was considered eccentric for a spinster but indulgence if it was a widow. This shows that the place of the women in this society is not equal to that of a male.