Essay Example on Women's Right to Assert Themselves: A Re-examination of Tzvetan Todorov's View

Introduction

Having to reflect on Tzvetan Todorov's view in the quest of America, how the society viewed women as a tool, it is clear to see that men abused women. This was because of how men expected women to always submit to their needs. By having done this, it made the society take it as a rule for women to obey and do everything as their husbands told them. This left the women with no choice but the possibility of asserting themselves as free subjects. This contradicts my take on how women should be treated. A woman is also a human with needs and deserves to be given equal rights and opportunities just like a man. Therefore, it is suitable for everyone to take them as people who are as same as men. They play a very vital role in society. Thus reflecting on how they were treated, it is clear to see that their rights were being violated. Therefore, despite how people do things as they take it as their way of living, it is crucial to consider not to harm others. More so those viewed weak, in this case the women (Alarcon, 57). This is because, given the same opportunities as the men am certain they can even outdo them. It is just a matter of how good they are at something.

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Women as Scapegoats

Another case that can be discussed is how Corte's and Malintzin were used as scapegoats by their rivals. Having to check on Malintzin's situation, she was a strong woman with good qualities of leading people. She used to give good speeches on how their rights were being violated. She tried to fight for her community to be considered in development. In that, the women are given a chance for freedom. But, by doing this, her rivals made sure to blame her on issues that they were not going right at the time. The mistakes they did, they made sure that it looked as if she was the one who was behind it. By doing this, she became their scapegoat for their problems. They took the advantage that she was a woman and that she had no family to rely on. This made her a prime target for them to use her as a scapegoat. My take on this is that it is not right for society to use someone as a scapegoat, for she is a woman despite being in a culture where women have no say. Many tend to do that by targeting the weak. In such a case, it is good always to have a policy that gives equal opportunities putting women into consideration (Alarcon, 57). A woman may even have a better solution to a problem than a man. Reflecting on the Malintzin scenario, her arguments were for the betterment of her community as a whole.

The figure of a Mother

To add on that, one can also reflect on the figure of the mother being bound to double production, that of her people and culture. This is because a mother takes good care of her family no matter what challenges she may face. This shows that even for a larger group, she can be able to take care of things. Therefore, having to reflect on how Malintzin used to fight for the community by having to talk of what she saw best for her community, it shows she was courageous and had to do whatever necessary to take care of her fellow women. Many said she used to talk trying to gain self-interest, but on the other hand, she was trying to save the weak in this case, the women (Alarcon, 57). This is evident that mothers will do anything to protect not only her family but her culture too. My take on this is that women should be respected in what they do since they struggle for the betterment of everything.

Works Cited

Alarcon. "Traddutora, Traditora: A Paradigmatic Figure of Chicana Feminism." Cultural Critique, no. 13, 1989, p. 57.