The roles of women in the 1950's as portrayed in the movie are very traditional. The women were expected to get married at a young age, provide for their family by concentrating on raising their children, cooking, cleaning, and providing anything that their husband needed. Betty's mother gave the impression that the women were supposed to turn their backs when their husbands were cheating on them. Katherine Watson did not get married at a young age, had an affair with more than one person in her lifetime, did not rely on a man to provide money for her but went out to provide for herself on her own. She also came up with a different approach on teaching her students in order to challenge them and make them think. These are ways in which Katherine Watson did not fit the common roles of women in the 1950's
6. The movie shows relationships of several characters. Were they acceptable in the society at that time? Why/why not?
The relationship between Katherine Watson and the French professor is not officially acceptable in their society. Women were not supposed to have sexual relationships with people who they were not married to. Also, the relationship between Katherine Watson and her students was not acceptable. She knew her students on a very personal level and at the end of the year, the college said that she could stay if she kept only a professional relationship with her colleagues and with her students.
The relationship between Katherine Watson and the French professor is not officially acceptable in their society. Women were not supposed to have sexual relationships with people who they were not married to. Also, the relationship between Katherine Watson and her students was not acceptable. She knew her students on a very personal level and at the end of the year, the college said that she could stay if she kept only a professional relationship with her colleagues and with her students.
I do not like how Betty's mom acted towards her daughter. She insisted that she ignore the fact that her husband was cheating on her and continue like nothing was wrong. However, that was what was expected in the 1950s and I am glad I was not born in that time because a husband cheating on their wife is morally wrong and upsetting.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Katherine's relationship with her students was "unorthodox" and I believe that she had the right to attempt to become close to her students. In today's society, many teachers have the ability to grow closer to their students, and this can greatly aid in a student's experience at school. Katherine Watson had sound teaching methods and was definitely right to expect a lot out of her students.
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