How persuasive is the text as a feminist text?
The text, ‘my brilliant career, ‘is persuasive to a large extent. The text’s only limitation to the persuasion of the audience comes from the way it ends. After defying all the societal odds about women, Sybylla ends up not achieving her dreams in art and literature. Sybylla not achieving her goal almost cancels her struggles with patriarchy. Many women might think it is nearly useless to pursue their career and settle permanently in marriage as a profession.
The text is persuasive through accommodating all the layers of feminism meaning. Firstly, it is a feminine text. The description of the environment within which Sybylla grows and lives is feminine. The situation presents the father as a drunkard languishing in poverty. Such a presentation of patriarchy is an attempt by the author to equal strides with the men. Out of the text, the name Miles Franklin which sounds masculine is also aimed at equaling the male strides. The mentioned two analyses are proof that the book is feminine persuasive. Focusing on the second layer, the feminist, the text creates a female character who questions moral traditions. Sybylla quarrels with her mother with the intent of finding out why women have to so submissive and not autonomous. The same character also defies marriage to be independent. The two analyses of challenging marriage and questioning important figures persuade feminist writers into being autonomous. Finally, the text persuades female writers whose intentions are moments of self-realization. The writer presents a protagonist whose self-realization has led to her trying to achieve her vision in art and literature. The three layers of meaning provided by the text support the argument that ‘my brilliant career,’ is a persuasive text to the feminist.
Conclusion
Based on the critical review provided above, three issues are evident. Firstly, the text under review is, to a large extent, a persuasive text to feminist. Secondly, lack of finance and intellectual freedom are the main impediments towards Sybylla Melvyn’s progression as a writer. The review finally advocates the idea that women, unlike men, require a room of their own and money to participate in any form of art, let alone writing.