I was reading the morning paper today and came across this article. After reading it, I sat there for a second appalled by the words I had just read. I am hurt by what has been written about me as a “monstrosity of man’s creation.” I do not enjoy reading about what other people think of me and my beliefs, but I have no choice. The hate and criticism are what motivate me to work even harder towards equality and more opportunities. Why should I stop because society tells me to? I have done nothing but fight for the rights of women and then other women go and ridicule me for my actions and call me bad names. Yes, my duty in life is to “obliterate the distinctions of the sex” and I will not stop until I do because there can be equality between the sexes, despite what everyone else says. Although people may ridicule me for my actions, their disapproval and condemnation have only pushed me to do more. That is why I read things like this article. That is why I accept the hate and criticism. That is why I continue to fight for equality. I do this because I know that it is right and as an empowered British woman, I must rely on no man to be successful in life. Thus, I am thankful for articles like these that inspire me to continue working towards a less divided society and a society in which gender roles are extinct. Despite popular belief, I believe that my shrieking will one day equalize the sexes and destroy this patriarchal society.
Editorial Commentary: “The Eternal Differences of Sex.” ridicules New Women for their actions and argues that equality between the sexes is not possible. This article portrays the many issues and problems progressive women, like Charlotte faced and how society’s standards affected women’s movement towards equal opportunities and rights. Charlotte, however, uses the criticism, mockery, and slander as motivation to continue working towards decreasing the divide between the genders. Thus, this article plays an important role in her life as a New Woman. Charlotte’s journey as an independent woman undermines the traditional view of gender roles and accentuates the idea of this modern woman. At the time, these progressive women resisted societal controls imposed on women and pushed for a more equal society. This article claims that this sharp divide between the sexes was first recognized in the Garden of Eden, implying that the inequality goes all the way back to the beginning of time. However, despite Victorian Era ideals, Charlotte believes that it is possible to destroy this divide and bring about change. She does not believe that a woman needs a man in order to succeed. Instead, she is independent and relies on her own courage and opportunities for success. Ultimately, through the acknowledgement of the differences of the sex, whether good or bad, this patriarchal society founded on the privilege and power of men was able to transition into a society where the oppression and discrimination of women was discussed and changed.
Citation: “The Eternal Differences of Sex.” Leed's Times, 20 Oct. 1894, p. 4. British Library Newspapers, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/GW3217603139/BNCN?u=gauniv&sid=BNCN&xid=…. Accessed 16 Nov. 2020.