Hannah Baumgartner

English 9

4/15/19

Comparison and ObligationConfidence: The Weakness in the Feminist Agenda

In a world where public support for the feminist agenda seems somewhat ubiquitous in

the media, the antithesis of the movement is highlighted in females’ actions regarding love and

life itself. Illustrated in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a modern take on the

character Helena questions the stands to raise concern over the authenticity and validity of a

strong female movement when theirwomen’s actions drastically contradict the message of

feminism. Helena's changing attitude towards Demetrius is representative of the flawed feminist

mindset singularly undermined by intra-female comparison and perceived obligationself doubt to

one another.

A movement only has the potential for change if the outward message voiced aligns with

the actions of the followers. A contemporary take onWhen looking at Helena’s initial rejection

by Demetrius and subsequent the self-comparison that follows with Hermia reveals the inherent

flaw in the female community:; how we present ourselves as a unified front for gender equality,

when in daily life we often engage in unhealthy comparison with one another resulting in

resentment. First displayed shown after Demetrius dismisses Helena, she states to Hermia,

“Demetrius loves your fair: O happy fair!" (1.1.181). Rather than considering the seemingly

endless possibilities causing the failed relationship, Helena’s prevailing main thought process is

to comparinge their likenesses while simultaneously belittling her own. Furthermore, when read

in broader context, the tone Helena uses is contentious toward her friend, highly indicative of the
fundamental bitterness she feels as a result of Hermia’s idealized features. Helena then proceeds

to wish for Hermia’ physical characteristics, "My ear should catch your voice, my eye your eye"

(1.1. 188). The belief and underlying ideology of perceived physical inferiority driven by self-

comparison engrained in a web of intra-female resentment is the singular shortcoming that

possesses the power to crumble the solidarity of the feminist fight for gender equality.

In addition to the inherent drive to compare, the perceived obligation women feel towards

one another in terms of success and happiness is the second flaw that prohibits the advancement

and achievement of females both in a social and economic setting. At the end of the play, Helena

accepts Demetrius as her lover after earlier pushing him away. In the beginning she statesLo

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]rtfg, “And I have found Demetrius, like a jewel, / mine own and not mine own" (4.1.189).

However, the only changed variable between the two points is the happiness of her friend

Hermia and her state of contentment. Because of this, Helena, and the many women she is

representative of, believe that they only deserve happiness (in this case defined by love) if the

females around them are equally as happy. In turn, while a devotion to one another is needed to

catalyze a progression forward, it cannot be so strong to the point where the obligation to mutual

success becomes a hindrance, as it did for Helena.

It is not at the acme of the movement, perpetuated by strong and powerful women, that is

the most vulnerable, but rather the base, the masses, or the general female population. As a

result, the simplest actions that occur between females, rather than male-female exchanges as

most would assume, has the ability to define the enterprise and emblemize the feminist

movement. In any case, the neo-primal, albeit only perceived, need for females to compare
themselves to other women and then proceed to resent the object of contrast is deeply flawed and

creates significant chasms amongst the female community. Additionally, in far contrast to the

fissures created by comparison, the overbearing obligation females feel towards one another at

times is a powerful deterrent in the quest for equality as it tends to hold women back and create

widespread fallacies and stereotypes. Although this slant on Helena was likely not the original

intention of William Shakespeare, when read through a 21st century point of view it reveals the

limitations and weakest elements of a rapidly growing movement for change in which women

themselves are the syndicate’s greatest obstacle.

Bibliography

Andrews, Richards, and Vicki Wienand, editors. A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Cambridge

UP, 2014.