When reading about King Arthur, you tend to find yourself becoming engrossed in the beauty of the land, the glamour of the knighthood, the sheen and shimmer of the glitzy armor, the valiant quest and brave acceptance of brotherhood fate, and the over abundant appeal to the weak and subservient woman! When there is so much brave conquest achieved in these stories, it is difficult to describe any character as weak and subservient. Yet, the story of King Arthur is surrounded by fragile women who have difficulty in achieving their own thought process let alone, valor, success or glamour. Instead of King Arthur conversing amidst his 150 man “Round Table,” I would like to see certain characters and authors have an intervention around that massive manly table with Guinevere and other feeble mannered Arthurian characters.
Several authors have inspired women to become independently free thinking human beings through the thoughts and actions of their opinionated resilient characters. Charlotte Brontё, Kate Chopin, and Charlotte Gilman Perkins, to name a few strong hearted authors who defied all societal norms through their stories. They could offer assistance to Guinevere, and King Author’s own mother, Ingraine.
Charlotte Brontё would not have any difficulty discussing with Guinevere how to adapt in a patriarchal society. She created Jane Erye to assert her own identity within a male-dominated society. Many male characters within the story try to keep Jane in a subordinate position and prevent her from expressing her own thoughts and feelings; however, in the end, she only agrees to marry once she is sure that their marriage is between equals. Through Jane’s character, Brontë opposes stereotypes about women, articulating her own feminist philosophy through Jane’s voice:
Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts as much as their brothers do; they suffer from too rigid a restraint, too absolute a stagnation, precisely as men would suffer; and it is narrow-minded in their more privileged fellow-creatures to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex. (Chapter XII)
Kate Chopin is another author deserving of an engraved gold plated plate marker, to denote her permanent seat at the intervention for Arthurian women. Chopin developed Edna Pontellier, in The Awakening, to rebel against conventional expectations from society and to uncover discoveries about individual identity independent from her role as a wife and mother. Edna would be able to capture Ingraine’s attention and speak frankly to her about her role as a mother.
Although these two authors produced their independent characters well before the women’s rights movements in the United States, they recognized in themselves the need to have their voices be heard at a time that was convenient for them. At the turn of the century in America, when women began seeking justice and independent value, Charlotte Perkins Gilman penned her entire utopian female society, Herland. She was a prominent American feminist, and a lecturer for social reform. She became a familiar feminist during a time when independent accomplishments were exceptional for women. Gilman became a role model because of her nonconformist concepts and lifestyle. Gilman would be able to offer her insight to all Arthurian women and give them advice on how to survive by their voice alone. Arthurian women such as: damsel Lyonors, Lady of the Lake, the unnamed mother to Knight Torre and even Nyneve and Morgan le Faye could benefit from the intervention on how not be submissive to Arthur or succumb to the belittling treatment from the men in Arthurian society.
If these three authors could not convince Guinevere to stand up for herself and demand equality in Arthurian court, than perhaps one last modern character could prove to all Arthurian women how one young lone woman could voice opinions and overthrow an entire patriarchal empire. Suzanne Collins introduced, Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games. She would defiantly challenge any of Arthur’s knights, or even the great king himself.
Alongside Katniss, Tris Prior from Veronica Roth’s Divergent could finalize any unwavering thoughts on the women’s revolt against Arthurian society.
All these authors captured the female figure and elevated her beyond super strength that defies all negative connotations associated with gender roles found in Arthurian society. Honestly Guinevere, be the rightful Queen and stand up to these men and free the female voice. You are not alone, there are future women who need to “hear” the freeing of your persona. Play the “Fight Song” as you prepare for battle!
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