New Woman

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          Modernism emerged in literature in the late nineteenth century and continued through the 1960’s. During this era, the concept of the new woman became more prevalent. This term, new woman, refers to the stray from normal gender roles in the age in which a woman’s job was to be an ideal wife and mother. The role of women shifted from being dominated by domestic responsibilities to pursuing individual interests such as education and joining the workforce. From 1890 continuing to the 1920s, 60 percent of high school graduates were women. In the early twentieth century, it was becoming increasingly popular for women to be enrolled in colleges. For many, this symbolized worldly aspirations that went beyond ordinary expectations of previous gender roles. Women also gained the right to vote and take interest in the political world. Financial independence was also a new characteristic of the new woman. Women began to join the workforce and have their own income. They had a decision on the status of their families, such as when to marry and when and how many children to have. Also, women’s dress became another distinctive characteristic relating to the time period. More comfortable clothing became the trend in female fashion. Often masculine attire had an impact on the fashion trends for women. The ideas of the new women in fiction paralleled the reality of society in that time period. Women were interested in gaining knowledge and insight into the world around them. This was also the case in literature. Female characters in novels during this era symbolized the changing views of women and the roles they played in society.

          The term, new woman, relates to Modernism through many aspects such as culture and art, but also through literature. One characteristic of new woman literature is its challenging nature between the norms of society and works of Modern fiction. The new woman is represented in many works throughout this time period, including Ernest Hemingway’s, The Sun Also Rises. In the novel, Lady Brett Ashley can be characterized as a new woman. She didn’t represent the normal beliefs of the previous generation of women. There are many references to masculinity in her description in the novel. For example, she refers to her male friends as chaps. She doesn’t mind the violence of the bull fights. Her heavy drinking habits also make her more comparable to the male characters. The character of Lady Brett Ashley is well developed as an example of the new woman. Her relationships with the male characters in the novel also describe her role as a new woman.

          Traits of the new woman began to weaken as World War II approached. As society moved into the Post-Modernism era and the characteristics of Modernism matured into a new literary movement, ideas of the new woman continued to thrive. These ideas stemmed from the Modernism era, although constantly changing, have placed a new perspective on women and gender roles. Women are not defined in only one way. The “new woman” of today can be defined in countless behaviors. Modernism paved the way for the new woman to change and evolve.