The Matyrdom Of Helena Rodrigues

Question: Have the gender roles in the story reversed? Provide an analysis of the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and psychological aspects of the four characters - Aloysius & George (Males) versus Helena & Caroline (Females).

The aspects of gender roles are reversed because throughout the entire story, Aloysius and George were controlled by the females, not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, spiritually and psychologically. The result of males being weaker mentally, emotionally, spiritually and psychologically is being pysically weaker even though stereotypically we know that males are stronger than females.

Helena used the 'guilt mechanism' on both Aloysius and George to get what she wants. This shows how Helena used reverse psychology to make the males feel guilty, by doing this, Helena gains control indirectly. An example when Helena was sick, she "insisted" that George marry Caroline, but in actual fact, she knows very well how much George loves her and would never leave his mother in bed, dying. Psychologically, George is weaker then the females because he did not realise that his mother and Caroline are both trying very hard to gain control of George.

In terms of mental and emotional aspects, the females are again, stronger than the males in this story. Aloysius died of stress and tension, this shows how Aloysius was not able to control his feelings emotionally. Helena knows that she is very sick but she was strong enough to keep all the emotions to herself, she did not want to tell George even though she was suffering emotionally. However, when George found out his mother was sick, he was emotional and showed how he felt. The same goes for Caroline, she was able to cope with her own feelings better than George himself.

Spiritually, the females are stronger because they are determined with what they wanted. Then again, this is a quality that the males have in the stereotypical point of view. Helena feels that Caroline is a threat to her control over George. She sees the situation as a competition whereby winning control of George is the prize. It is noteworthy that George is the prize because when Helena heard that Caroline and George were getting married, she feels as if Caroline is snatching his 'favourite' son away from her. Thus, she feels threatened by the fact that George would be leaving her, but continues to be nice and not show her feelings. Therefore, Helena is stronger spiritually because she was able to manage her emotions even though she knows well that her love for her son is way beyond anything and would not "stop him from his happiness."

All these points made the males physically weaker than the females. It is all in the mind - manipulation, because what made the males physically weak were the fact that they were weaker than the females psychologically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. George was the matyr in this story because he was the one suffering as he feels that Helena's sickness was his fault for not giving her enough care.

While the big brown grizzly bear settled in his cave,
Enchanted by his habitat, a place to call home.

Hyenas laughing with their happy families,
A hear of antelopes running for freedom
Versus the unknown who recklessly tamper and threaten the
Ecosystem

The big brown grizzly bear closed his eyes for a good night's rest,
Only waiting for the dawn sky to emerge.

Suddenly, the bear was awakened abruptedly from his sleep,
And realised that he was trapped.
Vexed by the bars that blocked his view, worry
Evaded his mind.

Trees he adored, fields he cherished, rivers he loved.
Had vanished, leaving no sign of life.
Everything was dull, a memory that would haunt the bear

Rage overwhelmes the bear, the forest he cared for was no more.
Although he was furious, there was nothing he could do.
In the caged box, the big brown grizzly bear saw,
None was left behind, as the
Forest he yearned for, oh so much was
Obviously lost.
Reality displayed; indifference.
Especially when you're an animal, just
Seen and not heard.
The big brown grizzly bear had a last glimpse of his beloved forest,
Seeking a miracle to be back home.



* This poem has a hidden meaning. Take out all the capital letters and you'll get " WE MUST SAVE THE RAINFORESTS". :)