Chapter 7 Summary and Analysis

This chapter examines the role of women in the development of the concept of freedom using Greek tragedy. The living conditions of many Athenian women are rather harsh. Many upper and middle class women are restricted to their houses with very little social life. The lower down on the social ladder women are, the more activities outside the home exist for them. The women confined to home have slaves as company. This leads to the upper and middle class women commiserating with and identifying with the slaves.

Patterson again uses Greek drama to examine the role of women. Even though the Greek society does not hold women highly, Greek drama is full of strong women commanding leading roles. The dramas are written by male playwrights for male audiences. Yet, Greek drama is considered to be a social barometer of the values...