This may not be the most politically correct book we could have read this semester; Dickens uses stereotypes of men versus women, the English versus the French, and the aristocrats versus the peasants. What do you make of his stereotyping? Is it offensive? Is it simply a product of his time? Does it ring true?
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Stereotypes
This may not be the most politically correct book we could have read this semester; Dickens uses stereotypes of men versus women, the English versus the French, and the aristocrats versus the peasants. What do you make of his stereotyping? Is it offensive? Is it simply a product of his time? Does it ring true?
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32 comments:
It does ring true. It was happening in the time period in which the book was placed. (at least the middle class vs the aristocrats).
-quakken
Considering that the book was written a few centuries ago, some of the stereotyping is appropriate for the times even if it would not be approved of today. For example, in past centuries, men had power over women, as they did in the book. Although this is looked down upon in today's society by most women, back then it was not uncommon for men to feel or act superior to women.
-mccrizzle92
i agree with mccrizzle. considering the time the book was written in the stereotypes fit.
~lucie
i agree but to an extent.
its not like back then they were all good or all evil. there have never really been "lucies"
*pumpkin*
In today's society the remnants of the past are still present. Women only make $0.75 for every dollar that a man makes. So I don't think that it should be taken offensive, only taken with the same view as "To Kill a Mockingbird" or other books that may be found offensive.
-Mr. Owl
everyone has a stereotype... even today books and movies are based off of stereo types.
beachbum
but i don't think that dickens should have given each character only one trait that is not a good way to show stereotypes.
~lucie
The stereotypes fit anyway. Whether it's way back when or now. You have your perfect goodies and your bad girls on a power streak. In your class even! Yeah, people might not like how they're perceived, but, if the shoe fits... <.< It's not that offensive really... But that's just because I don't get offended all too easily... ^=^*
-Shukumei
stereo types are only based off one trait... thats why there called stereo types.
-beachbum
I don't think that Dickens intentionally tried to stereotype people. That's how it was back then so we shouldn't expect him to write everything that we know and believe today.
-Mona Lisa
lucie you aren't supposed to be typing your supposed to be in the book.
-cydonia
I don't mind if characters stereotype because that is reality. However, I personally think it's frustrating when the author stereotypes like Dickens against women and the French to an extent.
-The Beast
I think that people that stereotype others are kind of judging and that it's not a thing that depends on when or where a person lived. Yes it's true that some people are more close-minded than others but everybody judges. Stereotypes happen no matter what the time period, but the stereotypes change. For example, the stereotype on women that Dickens uses. We don't really stereotype women like Dickens does anymore but there are other areas and prospects that we stereotype
~stephanie
beast you said its wrong when people only stereotype ageist women but what about men.
-cydonia
I almost disagree entirely that Dickens even used stereotypes. It was simply a fact of the time. Women did not work, they stayed at home, etc etc. Its just the way things were. Its too convenient to sit here and say he was being politically incorrect and discuss whether that was wise of him or not or whatever. I think he was being normal for the time.
Furthermore for the record, specific stereotypes are usually right.
~MonsignorGuillotine
there area stereotypes about men just not as many and there good stereo types because its the men that make the stereotype.
--beachbum
I think that now a days his stereotyping is more offensive, than it did before. So i think that it was okay back then in that time. I think that it rings true for back then and a little true now but this world has changed.
-giggles745
it doesnt matter if the stereotypes fit then, we are reading it in the 21st century where they are generally considered backwards and incorrect, therefore we should not read in english at all because eventually all the stereotypes will have the wrong meaning
-trevz
If this book were completely politically correct, then it wouldn't have hardly the plot thickness and character development. If all of the men were trying to go after a completely average woman, why would it make any sense?
but he does break out of stereotypes in the book also, like having a woman being insanely angry about everyone who might have ever wronged her, usually it is a man who is that violent.
-Quakken
I think it would be more offensive in present day America but back then i think it as more of a product of his time. Just like mccrizzle92 said, women were powered over men back then and now a days women want and now have that equal power and voice.
-2lex
cydonia i totally agree with you it is wrong to stereotype against anyone man or woman.
~lucie
Hmmm, I think that this book was written so long ago and when it was written this stereotyping was appropriate so even though it is not appropriate back then it is appropriate now. *Sunshine*
Ok, so what if Dickens did mean the stereotypes to be present in today's culture? Would you respond differently? Think about it.
-thatsgoofy
alright.
we all have stereotypes.
but lucie being a perfect chick isnt very probable.
same with madame defarge being a psycho, sure theres crazy people out there, thats more likely than "lucie". but she has to have some good right?
lets be real.
*pumpkin*
Beach Bum,
Not just men make stereotypes. Women do too. Whether it was indirectly or directly, all people have sterotypes.
and
Cydonia,
Ooobviously, there are stereotypes against men too. I never said there weren't, but you can't deny that Dickens' stereotypes are much more extreme regarding women than men. E.g. women should be submissive, etc.
-The Beast
i disagree with you sunshine that even though it might not have been okay back then it still isn't okay today either. Even though we might except it more it still isn't right.
spoiledprincess
Ya but is there really such a thing a as good or evil in this world because something we consider evil may seem good to someone else i mean just look at what happened on 9/11 we all consider that to be a terribly evil thing and it was but to them it was a holy thing so as you can see religion has alot to do with an opinion on good or evil.
This is a response to the third post
JrEagles09
I agree with The Beasts reply to cydonia. I think that both sexes are equally stereotyped but in A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens doesn't really show that.
-2lex
spoiledprincess:
K, I totally agree with you. I do not think it is okay today at all like for real. Women have a huge role in society now! Like, we have a woman running for president! But I'm just saying that that's how it was back then ya know?? *sunshine*
Stereotypes against women isn't the worst problem we have today, sorry feminists but it is true. We are constantly stereotyping people for worst reasons like their appearance or background.
-Mona Lisa
i agree with monalisa.
we make stereotypes everyday.
we judge people everyday when we walk down the halls.
so no, stereotypes against women are not the only issues.
-mccrizzle92
There is a strong stereotype, and I do believe that it was a product of the time to WRITE in a perfect women and an insane one, but I don't think it was a product of the time to think that way. Despite what anyone says, we all have our "ideals" of what the perfect man (or woman in this case) should be, and Dickens was simply portraying his. As to the other women in the book, I find no offence in that either because no matter what generation a book was written in (if written by a male) virtually all of the female characters "think with their heart", and from a female's perspective, that stereotype, for the most part, completely rings true.
-Mariah B
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