Critical analysis essay over The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike
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Module
Engels
Level
VWO / Gymnasium
Book
The Witches of Eastwick
A very comprehensive analysis essay at VWO level that expands John Updike's book The Witches of Eastwick and puts it in context by linking with the characters in the book, the writer and the society described. Includes reference list.
Critical analysis essay over The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike
Critical analysis essay over The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike
Critical analysis essay over The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike
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VWO / Gymnasium
Engels
5
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Differences in Sexism Throughout Modern History
The Witches of Eastwick is a book about three witches who kill their husbands and
live a completely independent life. On the surface this sounds like a badass feminist
book about independent woman living their best life. Unfortunately, the opposite is
true. But to what extent? To what extent is The Witches of Eastwick sexist?
Firstly, I want to examine what sexism means. Sexism is prejudiced discrimination
based on a person's sex or gender. Whether something is considered sexist depends
on context, such as where you are from or in what time you live. It is often linked to
the enforcement of harmful stereotypes upon women and is also it linked with the
believe that one sex or gender is inferior. What is seen as a harmful stereotype
depends on the context. therefore sexism, or what is considered sexist, is heavily
context dependent.
To see if this book is sexist, I first want to analyse it in its historical context. For this
context I am going to look at when the book was written, not at the time the story
takes place. The reason for this is that when the narrative takes place is irrelevant.
As mentioned before, the women gain their independence after having gotten rid of
their husbands.
“Not until midlife did she truly believe that she had a right to exist, that the
forces of nature had created her not as an afterthought and companion – a
bent rid, as the infamous Malleus Maleficarumhad it – but as the mainstay of
the continuing Creation, as the daughter of a daughter and a woman whose
daughters in turn would bear daughters.” (John Updike, page 16, 1984)
But then a new resident comes to town, Derryl. He manipulates the witches into
using their powers for evil. After the three witches find out Derryl does not even like
any of them, they get upset and kill the woman Derryl ends up with. In the resolution
they all find their ideal husbands and live a happy ever after.
Now let us look at the roles of women in the 1980 and ‘90. In these timeperiods
women started to get more rights and independence. They worked more often and
also got paid more. However, it was still expected that women eventually stopped
working when they got children and would become a respectable housewife. This is
the kind of view we also see in The Witches of Eastwick. The women first are very
independent and possess power, however, they only become truly happy when they
find the right men and settle down. The stereotype that is portrayed here is that
women can only be happy with a husband and kids as a housewife. In this period of
time however this stereotype is not considered harmful therefore this book also was
not considered sexist when it came out.
When looking at the book in the context of this day and age it would be looked at
completely different. The magical powers of the book are a symbol for the
independence that the witches have. The witches feel empowered by their magical
powers. However, this is seen as negative in the book. It is seen as something
women should not do, because the women end up using their powers for evil. As
though the writer is trying to say that women should not be trusted with
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