Summary Of Lynda Marín's Her Rites Of Passage

Throughout the term of her life, a female experiences certain rites of passage that mark her advancement from a good girl, into a young lady and from this, into an adult woman. These rites are not correlated to any specific individual or event, but rather highlight the common themes found in the female experience. In this discourse, I will illustrate how the scenarios in Lynda Marín’s work, “Her Rites of Passage,” are synonymous with the rites of passage all women encounter. In other words, I will highlight the chronological metamorphosis from girl to woman to expose the prevalent formalities such as concepts of fear, shame, and sexualization, that dominate the female existence. It is imperative to address that these traditional acts include
Her actions fixed the “fragile” bonds that were so “explosive”. Here woman are taught to be polite, comply, and make things simpler by ‘not being difficult’. In any effort to comply, woman often communicate through a series of acts. For instance, in attempt to “quell the growing discomfort,” females often revert to becoming entertainers. Females put on a show of laughing and smiling, sometimes even “yawing for effect” (184). Often, we try not to verbally communicate. Females are taught passively exit the situation. “To hold onto the quiet...before...words narrowed the possibilities” (184). In response to catcalls and potential threats, females are taught to be polite, to not communicate, to not antagonize, to leave and avoid dangerous areas, to smile and to not
For instance, at 35 Years old, the woman, now experienced in formal engagement of male and female she searches:
“for clues about direction....He was smiling...her impulse was to smile back...she must be mistaken about the tone of his voice, the tilt of his body…She weighed what she knew against what she felt...No other words no sounds even, formed in her throat...All in one motion, she...jolted upward. Carried by legs that pre-empted commands, she let herself out” (187-188). The adult woman, familiar with the customs of society exhibits old and new rites. The more antiquated acts, the female role of entertainer are present as she is silenced. However, new rites, the refinement of intuition combined with the ability to take charge and control, express the ability for women to progress past the male dominant reality. Although, the entire institution of male dominance, often referred to as the patriarchy, is slowing and steadily, attempting to progress towards meaningful change, we are nonetheless perceived as independent, powerful woman, as threats. We are again confined in action. Women are often chastised for being too authoritative or direct. Even with little girls in society today transitioning into adulthood with each decade as more independent and empowered woman, it is necessary to highlight that females will always endure the struggle of the rites of