A while ago, I started reading a novel called 'Wild' by Cheryl Strayed and posted a series of blogs analyzing it. After viewing 'Wild' through 3 different lenses of literary theories, I have come to a realization that Feminist literary theory provided the most insight. I believe that this book was written targetting female audience. Cheryl's way of writing is specified in a way that women are able to relate. As a female, I was able to relate to Cheryl and her problems. A specific example would be when she talked about getting her period on the trail. A man would not be able to relate to that at all. Throughout the book, Cheryl talks about the struggles she faced on the trail, to show in the end how she overcame them all. Cheryl proves many stereotypes wrong and gives hope to women who struggle. First of all, feminist theory provided the most insight because it proves many stereotypes wrong. There are many stereotypes about women that are present in our society today. Some examples are, women aren't as strong (physically) as men, women aren't emotionally strong and women aren't capable enough to travel alone. But Cheryl's story proves that women are well capable, even above and beyond what men can do. Cheryl, in her book proves that she is physically able to carry heavy weights. She carried Monster (her backpack) all through her hike while several men couldn't. She stayed emotionally stable all through the hard times in her hike, not even crying once. Cheryl also proved brave enough in her decision to hike alone. Through all these actions, she proved the stereotypes wrong. You may wonder why that's a big deal. I believe that Cheryl wanted to show the world that women are equal to men. In my culture, women don't hold as much power as men. Men hold supreme power and are given more importance in any given circumstance. A point of view from elders in my culture would never approve of Cheryl's decision to hike alone. There are reaosns for their beliefs. It's because they believe that women aren't as strong as men. This stereotype blinds them from seeing the reality. For anyone woman that comes from my culture, Cheryl's story would be a great inspiration. As this is a book targeted to women from all different cultures, it helps them to see the positive and negative sides of going through struggles and enduring through them all. This is why feminist literary theory provided the most insight. Second of all, feminist theory provided the most insight because 'Wild' is a motivation for all women that struggle. Throughout the book, Cheryl describes her inner struggles. Many of her struggles are ones that most women can relate to. Cheryl describes the issues with her beloved ones in the beginning of the book. Her problems with her mother, brother, father, stepfather and friends were all solved through her hike. She chose the best way to heal from the pain she had. She shows how she healed by chosing the best path for her. It is important to believe in yourself ignore negative comments. Cheryl spent time alone, helping to heal from all the sorrow. She is portraying the message that each of us should know ourselves and find the best way to heal. Her story is especially relatable to women because they are often looked down upon in society. Cheryl's story inspired me to always strive for the best and believe in myslef. As a girl, I do not have a lot of opportunities or options in front of me. But after reading this book, I learned that I am capable to do anything. I believe that the underlying message in Cheryl's book was that everything is possible, even if you are a woman. Her story inspired me very much. I'll end with my favourite quote from Wild. “I knew that if I allowed fear to overtake me, my journey was doomed. Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave. Nothing could vanquish me” (Strayed 51). Work Cited:
Strayed, Cheryl. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. New York: Knopf, 2012. Print.
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'Wild' through a feminist perspectiveI have finally finished reading the book 'Wild' by Cheryl Strayed. Looking at the book through a feminist perspective, I can say that Cheryl has been looked down upon as a woman, alone in the woods. Despite the fact that she was surrounded by a negative, anti-feministic environment, Cheryl was able to prove that women are as capable as men. Cheryl, being a female feels vulnerable to be around with men. Everytime Cheryl encounters a man on the trail, she hesitates before doing anything because she is scared of what his intentions might be. As Cheryl waited for a ride in Chester, her thoughts went like this: "And I would be fine, I thought, as the man who drove the Chrysler LeBaron made his way toward me on the gravel shoulder of the road, though I felt a sick flutter in my gut as I attempted to discern, in the flash of a second, what his intentions were" (Strayed 177). Cheryl, who's alone in the woods always tried to make sure that she got help from people that looked harmless to her. Her attitude toward men that she encountered on the trail comes from previous experiences and the way women were often treated. Men held supreme power over women. Men were considered strong and capable of anything and due to this reason, they took advantage of women. Cheryl realizes these facts and proves it wrong when she endured through the whole hike. Cheryl never felt vulnerable being around with another woman. Her hesitance and vulnerability is also evident when she gets into Frank's truck. "As I sat there with him, I felt the way I always do when alone in certain circumstances with certain men—that anything could happen. That he could go about his business, mannerly and kind, or he could grab me and change the course of things entirely in an instant. With Frank in his truck, I watched his hands, his every move, each cell in my body on high alert, though I appeared as relaxed as if I’d just woken from a nap" (Strayed 73-74). Cheryl discusses how she was always on high alert with certain men on certain circumstances, which I believe is the same way for any other woman. Women always feel insecure and uncomfortable when they are around certain men. But if it were the other way around, no man would would feel vulnerable around a woman because they feel they're stronger and hold power over them. 'Wild' proves that women can do anything, that they're capable of doing everything that a man can do. Some men that Cheryl met on the trail thought that she wasn't safe alone in the woods. They judge her capability of lifting a heavy backpack. They advise her to stay safe on the trail. This situation is evident when Cheryl got her first ride to the trail: “ 'Are you sure you can lift that' ? he asked. ' ’Cause I barely can.' 'Of course I can lift it,' I said. He stood there, as if waiting for me to prove it. 'Thanks for the ride,' I said, wanting him to leave, so he wouldn’t be witness to my humiliating pack-donning routine. He nodded and slid the van’s door shut. 'Be safe out there' " (Strayed 49). The men judged her by the fact that she is a woman and she is not capable of carrying heavy weights. But at the end of the book, not only did she successfully reach the end of the trail without giving up, she carried 'Monster' (the name of her backpack) around for 1100 miles and never got seriously hurt. The outcome of this story proves that even though women are portrayed as incapable of certain things, they are completely able to do anything they set their minds to and should not be looked down upon due to their gender. During Barbara's (Cheryl's mother) last days with Cheryl, she opened up and spoke the truth about how her life has always been. " 'I never got to be in the driver’s seat of my own life,' she’d wept to me once, in the days after she learned she was going to die. 'I always did what someone else wanted me to do. I’ve always been someone’s daughter or mother or wife. I’ve never just been me' " (Strayed 273). Cheryl's mother's words reflect how women in general have no freedom to live their own life. They are always just expected to do things for their fathers, husbands or children. Most of what they are alive for is to take care of others. In Cheryl's life, after her father abandoned them, her mother took on the role as the breadwinner, although that's a role mainly associated with men. She had to provide for the family, putting even more pressure on her. Cheryl's family was really poor and never enjoyed any luxuries. Cheryl's mother always strives to do the best for her children and never cared about her own needs. This is generally how all mothers/single mothers are expected to do. Her life symbolizes how freedom is not always an option for women, because they always under expectations. During the last few days of her hike, Cheryl comes across a man that she felt incredibly vulnerable around. He comments on her appearance and makes her feel really uncomfortable. " 'I’m talking about liking your pants,' the man said with a touch of irritation. 'They look good on you. They show off your hips and legs' (Strayed 287). In this scenario, the man looked upon Cheryl as a sex object. The man's attitude and the way he spoke to her shows that he had an inappropriate intention within him. Cheryl, who strived to show courage and boldness through the trail didn't falter, but stood up and protected herself. But in some of today's third world countries, women are still considered sex objects and they do not have their own freedom. Overall, reading tthis book has helped me understand that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. It is very important to believe in yourself and ignore the negative comments that might surround you. 'Wild' is a great book of perseverance and success and I definitely recommend you to read it!
Please click on each image to see its source. Work Cited: Strayed, Cheryl. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. New York: Knopf, 2012. Print. |
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AuthorI am Keziah Vilson from A.B. Lucas Secondary School. I write about topics we cover in my grade 12 English class. Archives
December 2016
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