romantic literature through the portrayal of Werner Stauffacher’s wife

 romantic literature through the portrayal of Werner Stauffacher’s wife

This poem exemplifies romantic literature through the portrayal of Werner Stauffacher’s wife, who plays a major role in the freedom of Switzerland. Among the other poems by Felicia Hemans, this poem can be considered the one that addresses Wollstonecraft’s ideas and the importance of personal reform by women. Hemans portrays the Switzer’s wife as obedient, loving, and submissive. The wife is described as quiet, calm, thoughtful, and timid in her happiness, which addresses Wollstonecraft’s concerns that women are unhappy since their opinion or wellbeing is not considered as important (LINE). Despite having her pleas ignored, she still stands next to him (Hemans 38). The Switzer’s wife trembles before responding to her husband’s concern that the oppressor might take his home and have him imprisoned (Hemans 41). These descriptions of the Switzer’s wife are in line with Wollstonecraft’s description of the ideal woman according to an oppressive society where reform is needed.

This poem can be considered an embodiment of Wollstonecraft’s ideas in the Vindication of the rights of women. The Switzer’s wife is portrayed as independently intelligent, where she provides solutions to her husband’s problems (Hemans 41-42). Previously, the wife remains quiet and submissive, but when her family is threatened, a revolution is awakening in her (Alpine awake cite). Through this awakening, her potential is kindled into power, which further supports Wollstonecraft’s ideology that women are not merely inferior to men but are equals when provided with the freedom to reach their potential (CITE). However, the wife understands that there are limits, and she does not propose that she should participate in freeing their family. Instead she encourages her husband to act while she stays home with their son (42 CITE HEMANS).

This decision is contrary to Wollstonecraft’s idea that women should not be considered as gatekeepers and homemakers without the opportunity to participate in matters beyond the home (CITE Wollstonecraft). Through personal reform, Switzer’s wife plays a major role in reforming the world by influencing her husband to consider emancipation from their oppressors. This shows how valuable women are when their input is considered and when they are provided with the proper tools and avenues to explore their potential. In addition to this, the Switzer’s wife justifies Wollstonecraft’s idea that women are not inferior to men. Furthermore, the Switzer’s wife humility and modesty are evident in how she treats her husband; however, Wollstonecraft states that the most reasonable women are the most modest (CITE).

Hemans solidifies Wollstonecraft’s ideas in several ways through this poem. First, Wollstonecraft’s idea that women should strive to be companions of men by contributing through reason is justified in this poem. Wollstonecraft states that a woman’s ultimate goal should not be emotion and pleasure while ignoring common sense and reason. By acting reasonably, a woman’s value to family and society increases, thereby improving the chances for personal and societal reforms. Secondly, the poem also shows how personal reform by women can change personal relationships; the Switzer moves from ignoring his wife to appreciating her and being proud of her after successfully freeing their homeland. The poem thereby shows the importance of reforms by women and the need for women to labour by reforming themselves to reform the world. Finally, the poem shows that a revolution is unnecessary in overcoming oppression; the Switzer’s wife utilises an opportunity to show her value to her husband and society in general, and this strategy is more effective in achieving her goal. The ability to gauge situations critically and make the best decision on personal reform is instrumental in overcoming oppressive systems for women.

Conclusion

Romantic period writings by Felicia Hemans and William Blake address Wollstonecraft’s idea that women must ‘labour, by reforming themselves, to reform the world from different perspectives. Both of these authors show how women were treated during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century because of social values, which normalised this treatment. However, the three poems by Blake and Hemans show ways in which women could reform themselves and the world in the process. In these writings, Wollstonecraft’s ideas that women must change themselves first before changing the world are brought to light. In Blake’s poem, the woman labours to reform by accepting herself and maintaining a higher self-perception despite having gone through a traumatic situation. On the other hand, Hemans’ poems show two extremes on the reform spectrum. On one of these ends is Stuart, who dies in captivity for revolting against the system while on the other end is the Switzer’s wife, who manages to assist her husband in overcoming an oppressor, thereby bringing them closer and making the husband realize her value. These romantic period writings address Wollstonecraft’s ideas extensively while providing insight into how these reforms can be achieved. However, these reforms are not simple to achieve, and therefore, women should attempt to achieve them progressively in small steps. Hemans sees the danger of revolting against a patriarchal and oppressive system clearly in Arabella Stuart.