Lauren Cadotte 12/4/10

Gender Criticism

On June 1st, 1993 Princess Diana attended a conference for mental health

professionals. At this conference, she presented a speech, “Women and Mental

Health,” which, at the most superficial level, highlights the realities of psychological

difficulties woman experience in everyday life. On a deeper level, it brought to

attention the oppressive impact certain norms and practices our patriarchal society

has on the well being of women. I will be using the method of feminist criticism to

examine this speech. I will be examining the extent to which this speech persuades

and informs the audience of the adverse impact our society has on women’s health.

To do this, I am going to identify the different rhetorical strategies that are used to

shed light on the plight women endure in today’s world and their overall

effectiveness at achieving this.

As Karlyn Campbell said, the main problem within our society can be linked to

sexual equality, “…we dispense forever with the notion that men are male humans,

whereas women are human females, a notion enshrined in the familiar phrase, ‘I now

pronounce you man and wife.’” (564). Princess Diana highlighted this fact by

discussing that women in our society are delegated the role of caretaker. Women are

expected to fulfill tremendous demands and responsibilities of caring for others,

despite the unreasonable nature of demands, and the state of their own well-being.

As Princess Diana said, women are expected to simply cope with whatever

situation is thrown at them. “On call twenty four hours a day, seven days a week,

whether their children are sick, their husbands are out of work or their parents are
old and frail and need attending – they will cope…they may be suffering

themselves…--but they will cope” (Diana, 2). By using the phrase “they will cope”

recurrently, she reiterates the fact that women are expected to deal without

complaint. In essence, women are required to conform to the norms of a patriarchal

society, and are expected to perform these roles without frustration or difficulty.

Princess Diana also is referring to things that even she may endure she creates

a sense of autonomy with the audience. As Campbell stated, it is important to speak

to women in terms of “private, concrete, individual experience” because it helps to

create a relationship with the audience (565). Princess Diana does an excellent job of

relating to her audience and creating shared feelings and experiences. She creates

awareness through these experiences and helps other women realize they are not

alone, and the feelings and problems are shared among all females, because of the

male-dominated world in which we live.

In Campbell’s work, she talks about the difference between success for men

and success for women. “Success for men is defined as instrumental, productive

labor in the outside world whereas ‘wives’ are confined to ‘woman’s place’ – child

care and domestic labor” (564). She talks about how as long as these definitions are

in place; women who strive to achieve success outside the home are looked down

upon, as she must not be fulfilling her roles at home.

If we as a society continue to disable women, by encouraging them to believe

they should only do things that are thought to benefit their family even if

these women are 'damaged' in the process; if they feel they never have the
 Lauren Cadotte 12/4/10
Gender Criticism

right to do anything  that is just for themselves; if they feel they must

sacrifice everything for their loved ones even at the cost of their health. (15)

Princess Diana discusses the issues that are created when making women believe

they should be only working the home. Women are forced to stay at home and care

for the children. As Campbell stated, “the girl who maintains qualities of

independence and active striving necessary for intellectual mastery defies the

conventions of sex appropriate behavior and must pay a price, a price in anxiety

(564). If a woman strives for success in the outside world, her mental health is at

stake, Just like Princess Diana was saying. She does a good job of talking about the

roles of women as opposed to the roles of men, and the sickness that trying to

achieve success, male success, can cause a woman.

As you have read, and as Princess Diana, and also Karlyn Campbell reiterated,

the world in which we leave is male-dominated. Women are expected to be the

caregivers, and often not even given the option to succeed out of the home. Princess

Diana does a good job of discussing the woman’s role at home, and the repercussions

that occur from living in a male-dominated world. Women are expected to do it all,

and be happy while doing it. As she stated, this causes a lot of mental health issues

for women. She does a good job of inviting the audience into her life, and relating to

them. She creates awareness through shared experiences, which was one of the

main stylistic features Campbell talks about. Princess Diana also talks about the

difference of success between men and women, just as Campbell did. She makes it

very apparent that women cannot compete on equal terms as men, nor are they
“allowed” too. In our patriarchal society, women are not equal to men. And as

Princess Diana stated, “we as a society owe it to women to create a truly supportive

environment in which they too can grow and move forward” (17). Until

Equality occurs, on all levels, rhetoric directed at women will always differ than any

other type of rhetoric.

 Lauren Cadotte 12/4/10
Gender Criticism

Works Cited

Campbell, Karlyn K. "The Rhetoric of Women's Liberation: An Oxymoron."

Readings in Rhetorical Criticism. By Carl R. Burgchardt. State College, PA:
Strata Pub., 2010. 562-75.

Spencer, Princess Diana. "Women and Mental Health." Speech.