Joe Alampi

Mr. Clark
English 12: Honors British Literature
15 February 2018

1. Feminism in My Own Words

“The advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes” (Google

Definitions). This is the “textbook” definition of feminism. By using this definition, I believe

that everybody can get behind these goals. Equality of the sexes is a noble goal and

something worth fighting for. However, in our current world, this definition is skewed.

I believe in the concept that feminism has experienced three waves and it is currently in

the third wave. The first wave was the fight for humanity. Woman were treated as property

and were bought and sold like objects. Woman fought against this and won their humanity.

The second wave was the fight for suffrage and societal equality. Women wanted the right to

vote and to be equal in the household and out of it. They won this fight. Currently, feminism

is in its third wave and its goals are not as straightforward. From my experience and my

understanding, third wave feminism seems to be fighting for trivial unsubstantial differences

between sexes or fighting for women’s superiority. These are not goals that I can stand

behind. This is far from the “textbook” definition and this leads to discrepancies. Now,

feminists are not able to unite under a common goal as they did in the past. Feminists are

arguing about what their goals truly are and outing others as not being “truly a feminist.”

This is leading to counterproductive actions and a widening of the gap between men and

women. Feminism, if defined by its “textbook” definition, is an admirable fight. However,

currently, feminism is not what it should be.

2. Was the Wife of Bath a Feminist?

The wife of bath exhibits characteristics that would be in line with feminist beliefs but

she was not a feminist herself. Her actions and her underlying schemes would be looked

down upon by feminists. She uses feminism as an excuse for her scandalous behavior.

Double standards are frequent throughout her monologue. She even argues that it is unfair for

men to have several wives. “Abraham was a holy man/ And Jacob too. Yet each of them we

know, have several brides” (Chaucer, 260). The wife of bath had many husbands in her

lifetime but she condemned the men for having multiple wives. She expected so much from

her husbands but provided so little. “Never for them the flitch of bacon though/ That some

have won in Essex at Dunmow!” (264). Essex at Dunmow was a contest for married couples

who would see if they wanted to stay together as a married couple. The wife of bath’s first

three husbands all chose that they would not marry again if they had the chance. She did not

try and advance the status of women at all. She tried to advance her own status and her own

life using feminism as her defense.

3. Wisdom and Folly

Although the underlying scheme of the wife of bath’s monologue is selfish, she does

provide several instances of wisdom. She has plenty of experience in her long lifetime and

has learned several things. The first of which being that some people are meant for certain

roles in life. She tells the company that she praises those women who will be virgins in their

life but someone needs to have the children. This is a statement full of wisdom. Not

everybody is the same. Some have different roles in life than others. The wife of bath is a

sexual person and virginity and chastity would not suit her. However, someone else might

not feel the same desire for power and sex as the wife of bath and a life with five husbands
seems impossible to them. The wife of bath understands this fully and it is important for us to

remember this idea before we judge others in our lives. However, because her life has been

skewed with sin and scandal, she also says some things that she believes is wisdom but is

better described as folly. The idea that she should control her husbands and use them for their

money is a selfish and immoral act. She has done this to the majority of her husbands and she

almost brags about it. This is not wisdom. Her outlook on marriage and love is skewed

because of her past and it shows in this perspective.