Gender Inequality And The Submissive Role of Women in Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier and Othello by William Shakespeare

Throughout time, women prove themselves and their power over and over again to men. Many question as to why society continues to undermine and suppress women even when it pledges to always remain fair and just. This lie stems from the ignorance that poisons men and roots itself in the depths of humankind. In humanity’s roles, everyone presumes that strong females should give up their lives and fit in sexist and restricting gender roles. Men especially choose to conquer any obstacle in front of them so that the majority recognizes them as the superior gender. Superiority feeds several egotistical males and causes women to lose several opportunities and their confidence. This idea establishes itself in the novel and play Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier and Othello by William Shakespeare. Both of these texts share several comparisons with their female characters. Through their portrayal of women as weak, Du Maurier and Shakespeare assert that society pressures women to overlook their abilities and directly forces females to degrade themselves in both Rebecca and Othello.

Primarily, Daphne Du Maurier illustrates how society’s manipulation and gender hierarchy helps The Narrator mold a harsh self-consciousness that triumphs over herself and her strengths as an individual in Rebecca. Du Maurier starts off the story with a recent couple who has yet to get to know each other’s secrets. Due to The Narrator’s fragility, Du Maurier does not even decide to give her a name representing submissiveness. The husband finds her innocence captivating, but his hesitation to talk about his late wife, Rebecca, makes The Narrator question her role as his wife. As The Narrator tries to introduce herself to her new home, she finds Rebecca’s desk. Clearly, a wave of insecurity hits The Narrator. During this time, The Narrator picks up a call with the house’s main keeper, Mrs.Danvers. While on the phone, The Narrator embarrasses herself and quickly hangs up the phone. She believes that "[Her] mistake [is] so palpably obvious, so idiotic and unpardonable, that to ignore it would show [The Narrator] to be an even greater fool than [she already is]"(DuMaurier 8). Her self-doubt strongly emphasizes how The Narrator views herself in negative ways, such as dumbfounded and weak. This example of self-degradation contributes to the The Narrator’s proposition of not having self-confidence. Moreover, The Narrator and her husband, Maxim, decide to throw a Manderely ball to celebrate their marriage because the late Rebecca makes it a tradition. The Narrator then stresses picking a costume because she wants the dress to represent Maxim’s recollection of the past balls. This obsession also correlates with her insecurity to exceed Rebecca’s perfection. However, on the night of the ball, Maxim gives a negative reaction, and soon after, The Narrator feels suffocated by the dress to the point where she screams how “‘[She] ought [to know]…”’ (Du Maurier 17). Even though The Narrator gets put at a disadvantage and has no way of knowing the dress’s importance, she blames herself. Du Maurier, through dialogue cleverly shows The Narrator’s instinct to think poorly of herself. This act itself embodies the idea that women pressure themselves to remain weak because society manipulates them into thinking they have to. On the same night, Maxim’s sister, Beatrice, convinces The Narrator to make the best of the situation. Nevertheless, as soon as Beatrice leaves, The Narrator drowns herself into thinking about “...the gossip of the party guests, saying she is not right for Maxim, especially after Rebecca" (DuMaurier 17). The significance of letting judgment define The Narrator eludes to the conclusion that The Narrator cannot stand up to her husband and other people. Additionally, Maxim establishes his dominance over her. Since The Narrator lacks self-confidence, she has no other choice but to demolish her well-being. Likewise, Shakespeare demonstrates society’s ideals of an exemplary marriage leading to the demolition of Desdemona’s character in Othello. In this particular setting, women like Desdemona show their loyalty by fulfilling their husband’s wants and needs. Desdemona gives up the relationship with her father and the location of her home to show her undying love for Othello. While Othello loves Desdemona, he easily believes a rumor about Desdemona committing adultery by a jealous character, Iago. As Othello’s rage grows, he strikes Desdemona in front of her cousin, Lodovico. From the following events, Lodovico takes the initiative to talk to Othello and clarify that Desdemona reflects a "Truly an obedient lady" (Shakespeare 4.1.278). At this moment, Shakespeare highlights and relates to how women in this time period need to obey what men tell them even when it invalidates women and how they feel. Othello, at this moment, selfishly thinks about himself and has no patience to comprehend Desdemona’s point of view of the situation. Similarly, Desdemona tries to figure out why Othello acts hostile towards her. When Othello tries to dismiss Desdemona, out of desperation, Desdemona kneels "Upon [her] knees"(Shakespeare 4.2.37), showing how men rank higher than women in a hierarchical society. Figuratively, kneeling shows a person that they have power over the other. Furthermore, Desdemona continues to blindly love Othello when he resorts to mental abuse instead of trying to understand. Othello and Desdemona pursue another argument, and soon after, Emilia enters the scene. Emilia then explains to Desdemona how Othello treats her poorly with no reasoning. Desdemona’s strong loyalty then plays a part in intervening and stating how ¨[Othello’s] unkindness may defeat [her] life/ But never taint [her] love¨ (Shakespeare 4.2.189-190). This belief expresses how Desdemona will always stay faithful to Othello and take the blame for her failing marriage. Furthermore, this example describes gender roles in society that make women trust that they have to praise men no matter the circumstance. Therefore, these examples from both Du Maurier and Shakespeare relate to each other through their presentation of women and the specific roles they display. 

In conclusion, both Du Maurier and Shakespeare convey and describe women as weak because society forces insecurity and timorousness on females. Through the author’s mirroring comparisons of women, The Narrator constructs a responsive instinct to self-loathe while Desdemona’s intuition guides her to a man destroying her because of Maxim’s conflicting dark past and Othello’s ridicule. When studying females’ roles in the present day, huge differences reveal themselves. From the very beginning, men undermine women to become powerful and unquestionable. Now, women from all walks of life and various backgrounds stay fighting to defeat pre-established sexism and stereotypical social constructs. When women destroy embedded ignorance and social barriers, females worldwide can accomplish anything, such as becoming leaders and speaking their minds. Social barriers tower over the existence of women. However, every flawed barrier breaks eventually.