Structuralism Of Feminine Oppression: All Summer In A Day

Structuralism of Feminine Oppression: “All Summer in A Day” Structuralism is defining the truth of the text within its context. A feminine approach to analyze a literary piece of writing is done by examining the unequal power roles between a man and women in regards to: physical, economic, and emotional aspects assigned to each gender. By analyzing Ray Bradbury’s short story, All Summer in a Day using the structuralism theory along with feminist research, a clear male totalitarianism society becomes apparent due to the presence of literary symbols and binary pairs indicating female oppression due to male supremacy. The relationship between the binary pairs identifies an opposition of power between the female and the male gender. This is displayed
The Sun is symbolized with a large array of meanings formed by ancient societies and cultures. However, universally it is seen to represent “a female (Mother Sun),” which symbols, “concord, clarity of judgment and of expression,” (Chevalier & Gheerbrant 949/951). So, it is important to question: Why does Bradbury describe Venus (a planet of representing womanhood) to have a constant rain upon it allowing the Sun to emerge for one hour every seven years? The structuralism theory would answer the question with a proposed inquiry because the theory questions, “why signs get organized into meaningful entices,” to accomplish finding “an underlying truth,” (Lind). The planet Venus is a sign of female oppression because it is widely known by astrologist and ancient societies to be, “the intermediary between The Sun and mankind.” (Chevalier & Gheerbrant 1064). Geographically, Venus is one of the closes planets to The Sun. Hence, ancient societies determined her to serve as a messenger to the people. In contrast Bradbury describes Venus as a planet overcome by rain, instead of her natural state as a bright fertile planet in closet relationship to the powerful “Mother Sun.” Which alludes to her expression becoming overshadowed. As a result, the organization of signs identify the structure of society functioning with a male domination over woman. The interpretation of the text reveals female
Physically she is, “a very frail girl who looked as if she had been lost in the rain for years [,] the rain had washed out the blue from her eyes [,] the red from her mouth and the yellow from her hair,” (Bradbury 5). She is given these descriptions because she once lived on Earth, a planet contradictory to Venus. On Earth, she was not conquered by the rain. She knew the feeling of warmth from the Sun and freedom of the outdoors. She was once liberated from male rule. However, her previous liberation of rain directs her to be continuously bullied by her male classmate, William. William is a male figure who suppresses Margot from expressing her past on Earth because, he needs to feel dominate amongst their classmates. Her previous emancipation from constant rain sets her as unequal so, he leads an alienation against her from their fellow classmates. Margot’s reactions toward William attests an important point which Author Sharon Smith makes, stating, “women have been the passive victims of men’s sexual aggression since the beginning of humane society,” (Smith 26). Margot depicts a passive victim of male dominance throughout the story. She allows, “herself to be moved by him and nothing else.” (Bradbury 5). He silences her, locks her away from The Sun (in the one hour it after seven years), and controls the