In your opinion, are Larkin and Emily feminists? Why or why not? What does feminism mean to you?

In your opinion, are Larkin and Emily feminists? Why or why not? What does feminism mean to you?

I don’t believe either Larkin or Emily would describe herself as a feminist, but I think each of them is an example of what feminism strives to achieve. Each woman did what her mind and personality needed to do to feel fulfilled. The fact that Larkin’s culture was not yet open to what she was capable of does not mean that it was not time for female soldiers. The fact that Emily made mistakes arising from compassion illustrates that females bring a new perspective to war that may eventually make a positive difference.

Feminism means allowing women to make life decisions and have access to all opportunities and facets of life, unrestrained by the fact of gender. Ancient rules denying women control of their lives and life decisions restrict their potential and lessen their ability to contribute in their own way to society. Although the enemies of feminism believe feminism is dangerous or damaging to women, they are parroting the principles of chauvinism that have held women in staight jackets and ultimately damaged society.

Well said, paulagb! Although I think perhaps Larkin might be willing to accept the feminist label. She clearly believed that women were capable and appropriate soldiers, and should not to excluded or degraded because they were female.

I do think Larkin would identify herself as feminist - or at least aligning with modern day feminist views if she was asked about those without the "label" being attached. I saw that because I think Larkin would resist the label of feminist. While she certainly has a strong identity as a granddaughter, cousin, soldier, etc - for some reason the identity politics that the word feminism can evoke (not feelings I have - but ones I know many do) feels like it would run counter to who Larkin is. She seems to be a person just simply trying to be accepted and to fit in for who she is and to want the same thing for others.

I agree with knm; Larkin does not seem like the type to identify with any sort of mainstream label.

That's the tricky thing about feminism today, is that I think the politics surrounding it have clouded the meaning to some degree. But it also seems like women today have the freedom to decide what feminism means to them in their lives.

Great point paulagb about the unique perspective women can bring to war.

I think both Larkin and Emily would be labeled as feminists by their culture. But as we began their journey, they became just courageous, brave and independent women. A feminist to me is a radical defender of the female race almost to the exclusion of the male race from their lives. That said, I consider myself somewhat a feminist as I have had to support myself financially most of my life and contribute my income which was higher than my husband's to our financial security. So I feet independent.

I believe as a supporter of feminist values, both of them would be classified a feminist but Emily might not necessarily consider herself one. Neither were part of any organized group that promoted feminism. For them it was a matter of survival in a man's world.

They are feminists, if the definition is that they didn't let their gender get in the way of anything they wanted to do. "Feminist" is a modern term, so Emily wouldn't even have known what we're talking about, but she would have known what a "suffragette" was and probably would have denied she was one during the period of the book. It would be interesting to know what she thought by the end of her life. Larkin? Definitely a feminist, whether she claims to be one or not.

If a feminist is a person who does not accept labels or boundaries then both Larkin and Emily qualify. They are people who take their responsibilities to others extremely seriously.

They were feminists. They were strong women who worked to get what they felt they were entitled to.

I see them both as individualist who reacted to the circumstances they were in and did what they felt they should do.

I am not sure that either of the females were feminists. They were both dedicated to their beliefs and both acted on them. But neither spent their lives pushing for female reform. They felt a calling and they followed that, but neither one tried to convince other women to follow in their tracks.

Takingmytime. I don’t think that a feminist is someone who tries to push for reform. Sorry maybe I am responding to the word push.
Back to the question yes I believe that they were both feminists. Emily's father taught her to shoot and she was better than her brothers at it. She preferred doing the “men’s chores”.
Larkin was brought up in a family that didn’t understand who she was. Her independent spirit and compassion took her into the army. When she saw what women had done in the past to protect this country I believe that gave her a strength to carry on.
There is no reason that a man couldn’t develop a friendship with a child and find himself in that same senecio.