Cate Marley Story

One of the early feminists: Cate Marley

One of the early feminists was Cate Marley. She was born in 1850 and raised in the same household as her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Marley’s female role models are independent and strong-willed, and her guardians used these actions to instill these qualities in her. When Marley was growing up, women were thought to be quiet and meek, but she was loud and determined, making her an anomalous character in the story. This fan fiction story of Cate Marley can be linked to the Louise Mallard in the African-American society “The story of an Hour” where Mrs. Mallard is the key female character and protagonist. In this story, Mrs. Mallard is considered ass the praise to the secret. During this time the women were only supposed to be married and become mothers and their entire life was generally meant to revolve around such situation. They were never expected to developed ambitions and careers nor have an idea that is capable of helping them to live for themselves. Therefore, any desire that proved otherwise was totally repressed by the society and this is shown in the mallard story as well.

The Troubles of Marley’s Heart

In Marley’s case, her heart is full of troubles and this is due to emotions she has towards her husband. Before their marriage, the family of her husband did approve it since she was appearing to be a good proper woman who is coming from a good family as well. Marley goes along with this marriage since she knew very well that there is no other option for her. Later she realizes that her husband was the one who did pursue this marriage and not his parents as it was presumed before. She goes on to resent her husband for unknowingly placing the marriage restrictions on her. Her husband kind demeanor and obvious love to her soften gradually and Marley, on the other hand, begins to love him back but the resentment of him fails to fade away altogether. Throughout their time of marriage, we find that Marley was full of both love and hate for her husband and she sometimes tends to hide from him. But the rest of the society was very happy since they were seeing a “Happy marriage” between Marley and her husband. However, no one was capable of noticing that there was growing unhappiness within Marley. Marley keeps on developing the bad attitude towards her husband for that she feels that her husband did work against her to have the marriage restrictions imposed upon her.

The Symbol of Desires: Marley

In conclusion, the main key character here (Marley) shows the symbol of the represented desires of the African American women in the 18th century. It is true that she is praise and a protagonist to the secret, repressed women desires as far as individuality and freedom are concerned. This is portrayed as since she desires to live for herself as opposed to the wishes of her husband. She desires to not to have to obey another person and that she should be in control of her own life. She is the star of strong-willed life, independent and a woman who is progressive in the African American society.