In the essay, "Changing the Names: The Two Catherines," by Lyn Pykett, Pykett discusses the roles of both Catherine Earnshaw and Cathy Linton in the novel, Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë, in extensive detail. Among many other points, Pykett expresses the difficulties Catherine Earnshaw experiences while learning "to be a woman as defined by the society in which she lives" (470). Furthermore, Pykett charts the difficulties Catherine Earnshaw encounters as living in a nineteenth century society while doing her best to obey the behavioral code of conduct, as a nineteenth century woman was expected.
Like Catherine Earnshaw, I have experienced difficulty with behaving as a "proper lady" at certain times throughout my life. As a child, I was free to do every physical activity I wished to participate in without worrying about tarnishing my physical appearance. If I happened to sweat out my curls while playing tag, my mother would re-curl my hair for me without any hesitation. If I acquired a hole in the "knee" of my jeans while playing too roughly at the park, my mother would patch them up for me. Similar to Catherine Earnshaw, as a child, I too, ran around "half savage, and hardy, and free" (123). As I became older, nevertheless, my mother stopped fixing the problems I created for myself and began to teach me the art of taking responsibility for my own actions. Since then, I have learned to suppress the urge of engaging in an aimless game of tag in fear that my curls may unravel. Because I know my mother cannot be there to assist me with every problem that arises in my my life, I have learned to make a conscious effort to walk, instead of run in oder to avoid the stress of re-styling my hair.
The transition from a bestial child to a refined young adult was not an easy one to make by any means. In fact, it took a great amount of practice and reprimanding from my mother before I was able to comprehend the behavioral code of conduct my mother instilled in me. For this reason, I can understand why Catherine Earnshaw had a hard time making a transition similar to the one I made during my adolescence. But unlike Catherine Earnshaw, I was able to succeed to the elevated plateau of becoming a "proper lady," while she continued to revert back to her adolescent state.
I can feel for you because I think there is a part of you that wants to have what you once had. Being a male I must admit that there is a huge discrepancy between how each sex is perceived and what is socially accpeted from both.
ReplyDeleteAs a man I am allowed leeway in my behavior. There is a certain acceptance for, "boys just being boys." We are allowed to be immature in certain moments and cling to childhood games and attitudes. We are allowed to get sweaty, tell dirty jokes, relieve my self of pent up gases in front of my buddies.I can still be childlike. Women are never allowed that and its not fair.
You should never have to be as you wrote in your last sentence, "I was able to succeed to the elevated plateau of becoming a "proper lady," while she continued to revert back to her adolescent state." You should be allowed to revert back just like we can. You should be allowed to be you no matter what.