Study Questions for Charlotte Perkins Gilman 1860-1935, author of Women and Economics (1898); The Manmade World, or Our Androcentric Culture (1911); Herland (1915), and "The Yellow Wallpaper"(1892)
Background information for the Herland reading:
Herland is a utopia where there have been no men for 2,000 years. Three young American men discover the land. They are held captive there for a time, learn about the land, and tell Herland's inhabitants about the outside world. The three explorers are:
Terry O. Nicholson, a womanizer--sees women as sex objects, a man's man, rich, interested in exploration and with good mechanical aptitude
Jeff Margrave, chivalrous, romantic, wants to put women on pedestals, poet, botanist, has just become a medical doctor
Vandyke Jennings, first person narrator, moderate in his view about women, a sociologist
Questions for Preparation - Chapters 5-8, although you may get so involved you will want to read the whole novel.
As you read be sure to think about your reactions, your views on the strengths and weaknesses of Gilman's ideas. Be sure to jot down supporting reasons and citations from the text where appropriate.
1. What are the beliefs and expectations of the men about women? What are their stereotypes about women and how does Gilman challenge them?
2. What contrasts are drawn between the behavior and goals of the women in Herland and the behavior of contemporary (turn of the century) American women (and men) ? How do differences in the practical details of life such as dress, highlight the contrasts?
3. How does Gilman treat Motherhood and the nurture of children?
4. What elements in Herland correspond with Donovan's description of cultural feminism? Are there any elements that do not fit into that category?