Jacqueline Tinneny Professor Cooper April 13, 2020 Word Count: 970 World Culture and Gender Roles Gender roles have defined the freedoms of women throughout the history of the world and are shaped by the culture, religion, and traditions of many civilizations. Throughout this course, gender roles have been explored throughout many societies, particularly in India, Egypt, and Japan as shown in Mrs. Dutta Writes A Letter, Another Evening at the Club, and The Pan, The Pot, The Fire I Have Before Me. Although all these works occur in different regions on the globe and during different time periods, they all have one thing in common: the theme of gender inequality. Feminism is the term that is used to describe the belief that men and women should be treated the same and have equal rights (Caprino). Throughout history, women in various cultures have slowly narrowed the gap between the separation of men and women’s rights. Gender roles are defined by culture more than by physical attributes and intelligence. As shown in each of the short stories mentioned, the treatment of women in society have not always been fair. Traditional gender roles in Indian culture is exemplified through Mrs. Dutta in, Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter. She is a traditional woman from India who leaves her country to come to America after her husband dies. Throughout the story, the reader becomes aware of her struggle against coping with the less strict gender roles in America. Indian culture does not necessarily have respect for women as individuals, but as caretakers. They oversee the duties around the household, such as cooking, cleaning, and taking care of children. The men in India, on the other hand, are more respected based on their accomplishments and achievements (Bradely). Religion is also another factor that contributes to the unequal treatment of the sexes in India. In Hinduism, it is believed that women should play a secondary role, meaning she has a limited amount of freedom and is always subject to a male (Rodrigues). For example, as a child, the girl is subject to her father, then as she ages, she is subject to her husband, or in Mrs. Dutta’s case her son since her husband died. This can also be related to the cast system that is present in India and how their entire culture is based off different levels in society. Overall, traditional Indian culture is shown to be misogynistic and heavily reliant on the women to take care of the household. Egyptian culture is exemplified in the short story, Another Evening at the Club. This story describes a woman in an arranged marriage who is subject to her husband because he is wealthy, highly respected, and takes care of her family. Ultimately, she is trapped in order to have a “good” life and support herself and her family. Egyptian culture is affected by religion, cultural values, social class, and location, meaning urban or rural. However, “it is the cultural tradition that most strongly affects their lives” (Suleiman) ...

1. Jacqueline Tinneny
Professor Cooper
April 13, 2020
Word Count: 970
World Culture and Gender Roles
Gender roles have defined the freedoms of women throughout
the history of the world and are shaped by the culture, religion,
and traditions of many civilizations. Throughout this course,
gender roles have been explored throughout many societies,
particularly in India, Egypt, and Japan as shown in Mrs. Dutta
Writes A Letter, Another Evening at the Club, and The Pan, The
Pot, The Fire I Have Before Me. Although all these works occur
in different regions on the globe and during different time
periods, they all have one thing in common: the theme of gender
inequality.
Feminism is the term that is used to describe the belief that men
and women should be treated the same and have equal rights
(Caprino). Throughout history, women in various cultures have
slowly narrowed the gap between the separation of men and
women’s rights. Gender roles are defined by culture more than
by physical attributes and intelligence. As shown in each of the
short stories mentioned, the treatment of women in society have
not always been fair.
Traditional gender roles in Indian culture is exemplified
through Mrs. Dutta in, Mrs. Dutta Writes a Letter. She is a
traditional woman from India who leaves her country to come to
America after her husband dies. Throughout the story, the
reader becomes aware of her struggle against coping with the
less strict gender roles in America. Indian culture does not
necessarily have respect for women as individuals, but as
caretakers. They oversee the duties around the household, such
as cooking, cleaning, and taking care of children. The men in
India, on the other hand, are more respected based on their
accomplishments and achievements (Bradely). Religion is also

2. another factor that contributes to the unequal treatment of the
sexes in India. In Hinduism, it is believed that women should
play a secondary role, meaning she has a limited amount of
freedom and is always subject to a male (Rodrigues). For
example, as a child, the girl is subject to her father, then as she
ages, she is subject to her husband, or in Mrs. Dutta’s case her
son since her husband died. This can also be related to the cast
system that is present in India and how their entire culture is
based off different levels in society. Overall, traditional Indian
culture is shown to be misogynistic and heavily reliant on the
women to take care of the household.
Egyptian culture is exemplified in the short story, Another
Evening at the Club. This story describes a woman in an
arranged marriage who is subject to her husband because he is
wealthy, highly respected, and takes care of her family.
Ultimately, she is trapped in order to have a “good” life and
support herself and her family. Egyptian culture is affected by
religion, cultural values, social class, and location, meaning
urban or rural. However, “it is the cultural tradition that most
strongly affects their lives” (Suleiman). Although women in
Egyptian culture are not treated equally with men, they have
had more freedom in comparison to Indian culture. One aspect,
as shown in the short story, is that marriage was not a fancy
ordeal and many girls were married at a young age. Girls
automatically become known as a wife as soon as they left the
protection of their father and entered a new home with a man
(Houissa). Women were subjected to males in this way,
although, they still could keep their independence and control
their own assets. This is demonstrated in the story as well. The
wife was given a ring, for which she loses, but is in charge of
keeping it on her finger. The man is somewhat respectful
towards his wife, because he wants to keep his persona, but did
not treat the maid well. This has to do with the rungs of society
and how lower-class members are not treated with as much
respect. Egyptian culture is known to be more equal in the
treatment of sexes, however, with their known history of royalty

3. in ancient times, they treat people differently depending on
their position in society (Houissa).
Japanese gender roles and culture were shown throughout the
poem, The Pan, The Pot, The Fire I Have Before Me. The poem
describes the traditional chores that the women does for the
household. Although, there is a twist showing how the author
believes that the roles women have been subject to for many
generations will enhance their abilities and approach in the real
world in comparison to men. Japanese culture is centered
around loyalty. The men are supposed to be loyal to their
religion and work, while the women are supposed to be loyal to
their household and family (Kincaid). The Japanese culture is a
hard-working society and the women are expected to excel in
their household duties. Many live close to their families in case
they do not have enough time to balance their children, work,
and chores, and need an extra hand. Men and women in Japan
have had equal legal rights since after WWII, although, women
are still subject to men mostly because of economic reasons.
Men are more likely to obtain higher paying jobs and
financially support the family, while the women have low
paying jobs, or none at all, in order to take care of the
household and family chores (Kincaid).
All in all, gender roles throughout the world are influenced by
culture, tradition, and religion. Many societies throughout
history have become less reliant on women, but the battle for
equal privileges and nonspecific gender roles is ongoing. Many
literary works throughout this course have incorporated the lens
of gender inequality and show how women have been treated in
different cultures throughout the globe.

4. References:
Bradley, Sarah. “Gender and Culture in India.” Markkula Center
for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University,
www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/more/resources/gender-and-
culture-in-india/.
Caprino, Kathy. “What Is Feminism, And Why Do So Many
Women and Men Hate It?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 9 Mar.
2017, www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2017/03/08/what-is-
feminism-and-why-do-so-many-women-and-men-hate-
it/#483efc227e8e.
Houissa, Ali. “The Status of Women in Egyptian Society.” The
Status of Women in Egyptian Society | Middle East & Islamic
Studies Collection, Cornell University,
middleeast.library.cornell.edu/content/status-women-egyptian-
society.
Kincaid, Chris, et al. “A Look at Gender Expectations in
Japanese Society.” Japan Powered, 23 Oct. 2019,
www.japanpowered.com/japan-culture/a-look-at-gender-
expectations-in-japanese-society.
Rodrigues, H. “Women's Roles in Hinduism.” Mahavidya, 23
June 2008, www.mahavidya.ca/2008/06/23/womens-roles-in-
hinduism/.
Suleiman, Azza. “Egyptian Women Victims of Cultural
Traditions.” Egyptian Women Victims of Cultural Traditions |
Inter Press Service, IPS, www.ipsnews.net/2014/03/egyptian-
women-victims-cultural-traditions/.