Double Standards

Definition

Double standards refer to the practice of applying different sets of principles or rules to similar situations based on arbitrary factors like gender, class, or ethnicity. In the context of early literature, particularly with regard to female authors, double standards highlight the disparities in how men and women were judged, treated, and represented, often undermining the female voice while elevating male perspectives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Aphra Behn was one of the first women to earn a living as a writer in England, challenging the double standards that restricted women's literary contributions.
2. In Behn's works, female characters often navigate societal expectations that impose harsher judgments on them compared to their male counterparts.
3. The double standard is evident in how male authors received more praise for sexual escapades while female authors faced scorn for similar behavior.
4. Behn's writing often critiques these societal norms and advocates for women's autonomy and agency in both personal and public life.
5. Understanding double standards in literature helps reveal the broader historical context of women's rights and representation during the Restoration and early 18th century.

Review Questions

• How does Aphra Behn’s work illustrate the concept of double standards in literature?
  • Aphra Behn’s work exemplifies double standards by portraying female characters who face severe scrutiny and judgment for behaviors that male characters engage in without consequence. For instance, while men may be celebrated for their romantic conquests, Behn’s female protagonists often endure harsh criticism for similar actions. Through her narratives, Behn challenges these inequalities and highlights the unfairness of societal norms that restrict women's freedoms.
• Discuss the impact of double standards on the reception of female writers in the 17th and 18th centuries.
  • The impact of double standards on female writers during this period was significant; women like Aphra Behn were often dismissed or marginalized in literary circles despite their talents. Female authors faced harsher scrutiny regarding their morals and abilities compared to their male peers. This not only affected their immediate success but also shaped literary canon, often excluding or undervaluing women's contributions to literature, which has ongoing repercussions on how history remembers these writers.
• Evaluate the ways in which understanding double standards enriches our analysis of early novel writing.
  • Understanding double standards enriches our analysis of early novel writing by revealing the complexities of gender dynamics and power relations within literature. It prompts readers to critically examine character portrayals, plot developments, and authorial intentions through a lens that recognizes societal biases. By analyzing how double standards influenced narrative structure and character arcs, scholars can better appreciate the innovative ways female writers like Behn navigated a male-dominated literary landscape, effectively challenging prevailing norms and advocating for gender equity.

Related terms

Patriarchy: A social system where men hold primary power and dominate in roles of leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.

Feminism: A movement aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights for women.

Gender Norms: Societal expectations about how individuals should behave based on their perceived gender.