Aya And Wild Swans: A Literary Analysis

Reflecting back on the two main books we have read, Aya and Wild Swans, a connection can be main between the main characters of these stories. Aya, De-Hong, and Jung have very similar character traits even though they are from different times and cultures. A parallel seen between these characters is their independence, studious nature, and their ambitions to be more than what society deems fit for women in their cultures. Their story of their lives show the importance that these women have for family and education. While Aya’s family and friends try to install the importance of finding a good husband unto her, she sees this as more of a reason to find her own way in life. She does not view success in life as finding a good husband who could provide for her, but as providing for herself. While she is not completely objective to the idea of marriage, she wants it to be one of love versus one of necessity. Although her friends put an emphasis in their lives on going out and having fun, regardless of the fact that they may have other responsibilities, Aya does not. Aya puts her time into school and watching Adjoua’s son, regardless of whether or not she needs to (Abouet). This ideal has a direct relationship to the same ideals of Jung and her mother in Wild Swans. The
The interaction between genders, importance of female education, and hardships of life seem to be a language that can be relatable to most women. As the world continues to change, the roles women play in literature will continue to be a great easel for the evolution of gender roles. If I were to take an even further view into women in literature, I would try to see how the circumstances of the lives of women writers play on their depictions of the world in their