Comparative Study

 The study of a theme or issue can offer a reader valuable lessons or insights (2011). Identify
and discuss at least one valuable lesson or insight that you gained through the study of a theme
or issue in one text on your comparative course.

I would agree that theme can provide the reader with valuable lessons into learning more about gender
inequality. The three texts I have chosen for my comparative study are, “Never let me go” [NLMG] by
Kazuo Ishiguro, “Philadelphia here I come” [PHIC] by Brian Friel and “LadyBird” [LB] by Greta Gerwig. I
found the theme of gender Inequality to be prevalent in all my three choose texts. The Similarities
between my choose texts which stood out to me the most are gender discrimination, sex differences in
education, gender stereotypes and employment. I genuinely believe that these points will allow the
reader to gather insight on gender inequality.

1. Gender discrimination
In “Philadelphia Here I Come,” women experience gender discrimination, this is evident as Madge is a
housekeeper with little to no education and taken for granted. Madge is a woman therefore, she is
treated like an unwanted part in society, this is seen when her lack of superiority is shown as she is
portrayed as a second-class citizen “serving tea” throughout the play of PHIC (Philadelphia here I come).
In sharp contrast gender discrimination is also seen in LB. When Ladybird's mother Marion does not
expect much of Ladybird's college career. Marion compares her to her brother, Miguel. Marion implies
that Ladybird is not “as intelligent” as her older brother which can also be seen as gender discrimination
as Marion presumes that Ladybird is not capable of her brothers' achievements. This proves that Marion
believes that males have dominance towards females. In both texts gender discrimination is found
mostly in women this suggest that women have a low stature in society.

2. Education.
There is uneven access to education in PHIC. This is evident when we find out that Gar did not complete
his college level of education. “And you spent one year at University College Dublin.” The fact that Gar
has not completed his education proves that he is of a low working class which can impact his stature in
a male bound society. In NLMG (Never Let Me Go) there is also a lack of education as the guardians of
Hailsham instruct the children about “art classes,” this evokes the lack of education received by the
children of Hailsham. Another text which mirrors that lack of education is LB. In LB we find out that her
parents cannot afford to pay for a prestigious college, Ladybird is sent to attend a “Catholic college,” this
proves difficult for Ladybird as she has trouble fitting in. Ladybird hints to her father that she did not
want to attend the Catholic college and is disappointed by her lack of opportunities. In all three texts we
learn that there is a lack of opportunities for working class citizens. This is shown in both LB, PHIC and
NLMG, all main protagonists have received a low status of education thought their story line which
therefore shows how futile education is portrayed in all three texts.

Gender Stereotypes: