Sexual Roles in Time of the Temptress :: Temptress Essays

Sexual Roles in Time of the Temptress Violet Winspears Time of the Temptress may non be considered a literary masterpiece by many critics, but it does give a specific example of male dominant and female cringing sexual roles. Even though the novel contains no explicit or even implied sexual scenes occurring between the main characters, the actions and speech of Wade and Eve sue as a substitute for erotic passages. Eve is labeled as an obvious submissive character as soon as she was introduced in the novel. She appears as a helpless woman in the company of nuns. Nuns might be considered some of the purest and most vulnerable creatures alive, second only to children. Her affiliation with these women imply that she is bare and as helpless as they. Eve and the nuns are at the mercy of the brave warrior who rescued them from their mission. When Eve volunteers to walk across the jungle, even her act of bravery seems weak. Please-Eve caught on impulse at the khaki-clad arm, if room dismiss be found for Sister Mercy and the others , then I am sure I can trek the rest of the way (6). She asks, or begs, for permission to make a sacrifice, and through out the novel she never stops apologizing for it. Before they begin their trek, Eve becomes right away furious with the man who saved her and she declares that she is not helpless (12). In spite of her outburst, the rest of the novel makes her out to be anything but helpful. For example, she cannot bathe without a toy stealing her Bond street apparel. It is impossible for her to search for them naked, and to top it all off, the fearless Wade OMara has to save her from toe-snapping crabs before finding her pants for her. posterior on Eve acknowledges her situation. She was glad he was so tough and self-reliant, but at the same time he was so disturbing and awoke in her a feeling of being a helpless and vulnerable female (38). She is correct. She doesnt make their dinner, the only usefu l thing she does is sweep out a hut and mass murder a few of the harmless insects that lived there.