Societal expectations

Definition

Societal expectations refer to the norms and standards that a community holds regarding behavior, roles, and responsibilities of individuals within that society. These expectations often dictate how individuals should act based on their gender, class, or other social categories. In the context of early novel writing, particularly with figures like Aphra Behn, these expectations shaped both the narratives created and the voices that were heard, as they often reflected or challenged contemporary norms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Aphra Behn's work often confronted societal expectations by portraying strong female characters who defied traditional roles.
2. In the late 17th century, women writers faced significant societal pressure to conform to domestic ideals while also seeking to assert their voices in literature.
3. The emergence of the novel as a genre provided a platform for authors like Behn to explore and critique societal expectations surrounding gender and class.
4. Many early novels depicted women's struggles against societal expectations, highlighting themes of love, power, and independence.
5. Societal expectations were not only a backdrop for Behn's characters but also a reflection of the broader cultural shifts occurring during the Restoration period.

Review Questions

• How did Aphra Behn use her writing to challenge societal expectations of women in her time?
  • Aphra Behn used her writing to challenge societal expectations by creating complex female characters who often defied traditional roles assigned to women. Through her narratives, she highlighted women's desires for autonomy and agency in a society that typically confined them to domestic spheres. By presenting these characters with rich inner lives and active pursuits, Behn pushed back against the norms of her time and opened up discussions about women's rights and identities.
• In what ways do societal expectations manifest in the themes and characterizations found in early novels?
  • Societal expectations manifest in early novels through the portrayal of characters who navigate the pressures of conformity or rebellion against established norms. Themes such as love, marriage, and social mobility often reflect the constraints placed on individuals by their social standing or gender. Authors like Behn utilized these themes to not only illustrate the struggles faced by their characters but also to critique the very expectations that dictated their fates, thus enriching the literary landscape of their time.
• Evaluate the impact of societal expectations on the reception of women writers during the Restoration and Early Eighteenth Century.
  • The impact of societal expectations on the reception of women writers during this period was significant. While some readers praised authors like Aphra Behn for their innovative storytelling and strong female voices, many critics dismissed their work due to prevailing attitudes that viewed women as less capable of serious literature. This duality reflects a tension where societal expectations limited recognition for women writers while simultaneously providing them with a unique perspective that enriched literary discourse. Ultimately, this dynamic played a crucial role in shaping the evolution of women's literature and contributed to the gradual acceptance of female authorship in literary circles.

Related terms

Gender Roles:

The roles and behaviors that society considers appropriate for men and women, which can influence literature and character development.

Social Norms: The unwritten rules about how to behave in society, which can guide individual behavior and influence literary themes.

Feminism: A movement and perspective that seeks to achieve equality for women, often challenging societal expectations and traditional gender roles.