Feminism

Feminism is an important theme in the novel “The Marriage of Opposites” by Alice Hoffman. In the novel, the author advances feminism as not only equality between the sexes, but as the ability for women to make their own choices and choose their own paths in life. In the novel, feminism primarily concerns itself with the character of Rachel, and to a lesser degree, Julie.

From the beginning of the novel, Rachel is a rebellious girl who enjoys breaking even simple rules, such as leaving the window open. She consistently draws the ire of her mother, who believes that Rachel must act like a proper girl prepared to handle the responsibilities accorded to women, which range from managing the household to participating socially in the community to bearing children. Rachel often shirks her chores in favor of reading in the library. Her father gives her a...