GIRLS OF TO-DAY by Charlotte Perkins Gilman: A critique of the societal expectations placed on women in the late 19th century, this short story follows a young woman named Lenora who is struggling to conform to these standards. Despite her desire to be independent and self-sufficient, Lenora finds herself trapped in a marriage that stifles her creativity and individuality. The story highlights the oppressive nature of patriarchal society and the ways in which women were expected to conform to traditional gender roles.
By Charlotte Perkins Gilman · First published 1894 · Genre: Feminist Literature, Social Commentary, Prose