Stoner John Williams And Self In 1958

The transition from conservative America to a more liberal America was a catalyst for substantial changes in society — thankfully through its literature. Modernist literature had its origins within the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Europe and North America and has consistently grown into the 21st century. For example, in Stoner by John Williams and “Self in 1958” by Anne Sexton, the two pieces demonstrates the evolution of the modern voice by emphasizing the value of self-worth and the struggles against conformity within their communities. “Self in 1958” by Anne Sexton conveys the horrors of an accepted social stratification within the 1950s, where women were automatically placed in domestic roles at home and were discouraged from any occupation
Sexton takes the thoughts of an assumed wife and conveys the darker tones of her mentality as a result of the imposed archetypes. For example, she sees herself as a “plaster doll” among questions her individuality by describing herself as a “magnin transplant.” Inflicted with a conflict with societal expectations, Sexton’s character holds no flexibility in her daily life and her syntax holds a dejected connotation. The reality of gender norms during the “Baby Boomer” era was grim. Men had deemed themselves more dominant in the home and women were restricted to the perimeters of their homes – as stated earlier. In addition to the imposition of expectations, Sexton also conveys the frigid life of a housewife in an ominous tone. She described her life as living inside a “doll’s house” and typical amenities, such as a “counterfeit table”, a “flat roof”, and an “iron bed” that she seeks refuge in. And although these are staples for a modern home in the 1950s, she attaches negativity so that it would convey the harmful mentality she possessed. The counterfeit table and flat room conveys her life with no dimension, and the iron bed