Evolvement of Women's Rhetorical Roles

The study of feminist criticism focuses on the role of women in society searching for a breakthrough of equality. The constraints place on women has been shaped by the historical setting of the specific time period in which these women were placed. The goal is to ultimately break away from the notion of essentialism, which defines a woman according to her externals, such as laws and the general social norms. The limitations placed on women in society forces them to take on a particular role in creating their own unique style of writing, perceiving themselves differently from that of men.

Campbell addresses this feminist criticism throughout her article, “Agency: Promiscuous and Protean.” At first, I found the article somewhat difficult to completely comprehend. It seemed that she did not believe a woman could truly be an agent of her speech due to the many aspects one must fulfill in order to take on the role of agency. However, after thoroughly reading it over, I came to the conclusion that she believes it is very much possible for a woman to become an agent of a specific act, despite these limitations. “Agency is linked to and effected through artistry or artfulness; it is learned.” (Campbell, 6) Campbell believes that it is possible for a woman to find her mark in society by simply taking on an act that is both unique and recognized. Although the words of a woman may filtered and never directly captured identical to the moment in which they were said, they ultimately play a role in highlighting the link between speech and author of that speech. In doing so, the woman becomes an agent.

 

We can observe this through Campbell’s example of Sojourner Truth’s speech. Although her words were changed to suit that of a more educated woman, there is no denying that she delivered her speech and had “the capacity to act.” According to Campbell, agency is “communal and participatory.” (Campbell, 3) I take this as one must participate in a specific act in order to become an agent, which is what Sojourner did as she spoke in front of a hostile audience with both confidence and dignity.

When we observe Heilbrun’s article, it becomes evident that she takes on a slightly different approach to this theory. She feels that the role of women can never truly be recognized because it is shielded by the superior patriarchal roles in society. Women are simply additions to the male population; their acts are completed through the perspective of a man. In doing so, the authentic identities of women are completely lost, hindering them to receive acknowledgement for their acts.  Women writers’ are forced to develop a unique style of writing, but this too must be filtered and edited. For example, the composition of their autobiographies must be edited to suit that of what would be expected of them, rather than their emotions and negative feelings towards how they truly feel. “Women do not feel able to openly write openly about themselves; they do not feel entitled to credit for their own accomplishment, spiritual or not.” (Heilbrun, 24) Heilbrun seeks out a new way in which women can hold an identity that is both recognized and respected. She helplessly searches for women to find a sense of individuality so they can be represented through their works in a true light, rather than a masked one. “Women who acquire power are more likely to be criticized for it than the men who have always had it. Men were born with it; women have to earn it themselves.” (Heilbrun, 17) Can women ever really earn power though? It is obvious that Heilbrun does not believe these underprivileged women can become agents, differing from that of Campbell.

The shift of women’s rhetoric has become obvious in today’s society due to the social norms that have been changed as a whole. Women have transgressed according to the views of the society; their roles have been placed in a much higher and respected light, allowing them to be recognized as authoritative figures. For example, Oprah is an extremely powerful woman that all of the general public views as a respected figure. A number of women celebrities in general are recognized by their audiences for playing a noteworthy role in empowering others. Self magazine is specifically designed for women to enable them to feel a sense of confidence and freedom throughout their everyday lives. This clearly underlines the evolvement of women’s rhetoric; they are officially agents of their works. I feel that Heilbrun especially would be startled by just how much the roles of women have become changed over the course of time- through literature, rhetoric, and social norms in society. 

-Vanessa Coppola

Campbell, Karlyn Kohrs. “Agency: Promiscuous and Protean.” Communication and Critical/ Cultural Studies. 2.1 (2005): 1-19.

Heilburn, Carolyn. “Introduction.” In Writing a Woman’s Life. New York: Norton, 1988. 11-24.