transgendering

Transgendering in Matthew Lewis’ The Monk

While reading the novel, I couldn’t help but notice the many instances of sexism and misogyny throughout the story. When reading the essay by Brewer, there are examples provided that agree with my feelings, as well as some that point to the opposite. Brewer’s examples, however, of Lewis’ elevating the female sex, are questionable in themselves. One example of this that I disagree with is his assessment of Matilda’s “empowerment.” In my opinion, the fact that in order for her to have any kind of say in anything, she had to disguise herself as a man. Although this is due to the time period the novel is set in, I don’t not think that this empowers her as a character at all. Yes, she does gain Ambrosio, which is, after all, what she was after the whole time. But she could only get this by being a man. The novel makes women out to be not only weaker physically, which usually can’t be argued, but inherently emotionally and sexually weaker. Exploiting one’s sexual desires is reserved for men only. Because of her assertive, “masculine” traits, Matilda “represents sexual instability.” Any time a women is assertive and aggressive, she faces strong adversity. That is, the women in the novel are not really allowed to go after what they want, and if they do, there are punished harshly. This is true of Agnes and Matilda. Agnes feels horrible after getting sexually involved with Raymond. I just don’t think that this is a good way to express sexuality and especially feminine sexuality. Lorenzo and Raymond get to be as open about who they want, while the women are supposed to be quiet and are shunned for speaking, and especially acting, out their desires. Brewer says Transgendering “can be liberating for women…freeing them from the stifling restrictions of religious or social belief-systems.” (193) While this may have been necessary for the women of that society to transgender into the role of a male, if Lewis was trying to elevate the feminine gender, he might have gone about it a different way. On page 194 of the essay, brewer points to several examples of Lewis’ sexism. I picked up on many of these while reading the novel and was saddened that for an author that is definitely trying to make a statement about society, his misuse of the feminine role detracts from his overall point. What makes this novel so difficult is that for every example there is a counter-example, and even as I am writing this, I can think of many ways to dispute even my own argument. Overall, however, I do think that Lewis shared many of the sexist ideals shared by his society, and I wish that women would have been showed in a better light. Reading this novel from a feminist point of view is extremely difficult, yet entirely fascinating. My last point on this matter is that in the end, the only way that the women were accomplished and happy was by assuming domestic roles. This is pointing to an attitude that is prevalent even among our society now, that in order for a women to have true happiness and a complete life, they must be married to a man that takes care of them.

Just a test.