If I Were A Man by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Author: Charlotte Perkins Gilman | Published: 1914
If I were A Man Synopsis
If I Were A Man is a short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman published in 1914. In "If I Were a Man," Mollie Mathewson frequently voiced her desire to be a man when her husband Gerald defied her wishes. This bright morning, she's frustrated with him for being upset about an overdue bill. Despite embodying the stereotypical feminine attributes, Mollie finds herself transformed into Gerald, gaining a fresh perspective on life. As Gerald, she experiences the world as a man, noticing the physical differences and newfound feelings of empowerment. Throughout her day, she encounters insights into men's thoughts about women, grappling with the two-fold perception they maintain. Gerald challenges societal norms, discussing women's roles, appearances, and relationships with fellow men. Through this transformation, Mollie learns about the complex world from a man's viewpoint, questioning and assimilating new perspectives.
Excerpt from If I were A Man Synopsis Online Book
'If I were a man,...' that was what pretty little Mollie Mathewson always said when Gerald would not do what she wanted him to--which was seldom.
That was what she said this bright morning, with a stamp of her little high-heeled slipper, just because he had made a fuss about that bill, the long one with the 'account rendered,' which she had forgotten to give him the first time and been afraid to the second--and now he had taken it from the postman himself.
About Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Charlotte Perkins Gilman was a prominent American author and feminist during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She wrote extensively about women's roles in society, arguing that they deserved greater economic and political autonomy. Her most famous work is her short story “The Yellow Wallpaper”, which details the effects of mental illness on a woman's life.
Her other works such as Women and Economics (1898) and Human Work (1904) were also highly influential in their time. Her work sought to challenge traditional gender roles, often advocating for economic independence among women and exploring their experiences as working professionals. She is considered one of the most important figures of early feminism in the United States. In 1998 she was posthumously inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame for her pioneering work in advocating for gender equality throughout her career as an author. Find out more about Charlotte Perkins Gilman at sevenov.com.