The Unfulfilled Female

“The bird that would soar above the level plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings.” (Chopin 234) Stated by Mademoiselle Reisz in Chopin’s “The Awakening,” the struggle to find one’s self resonates throughout three novels: the aforesaid “The Awakening,” Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights,” and Malamud’s “The Assistant.” Relationally, the inhibiting actions of the males propel the females’ desire to find self-fulfillment by seeking the unattainable.
Catherine Earnshaw lies hampered due to her husband’s failure to provide while she combats her hopeless desire for fulfillment within Heathchcliff. Catherine dismisses Heathcliff’s advances, feeling that “it would degrade [her] to marry Heathcliff now” (Bronte 73) and marries Edgar instead. Though she rationalizes that this marriage will ensure Heathcliff financial security in the future, Catherine feels that “in my soul and in my heart, I’m convinced I’m wrong!” (72) Her relation...