The tragedy of woman’s Emancipation

By Emma Goldman

From Anarchism and Other Essays, 1911

EMMA GOLDMAN

Emma Goldman was arrested for “inciting a riot” in August of 1893 after giving a speech to a crowd of nearly 3,000 people at

Union Square.

“The Tragedy of Woman’s Emancipation” was published in

1911 in Emma Goldman’s Anarchism and Other Essays.

WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE

“Operatives in Indianapolis Cotton Mill. Noon hour. August 1908.”

SWEATSHOP

Note the tired expression on the woman’s face as she works to affirm her independence.

Audience

Emma Goldman’s message applies directly to women, but urges society as a whole to overcome “false boundaries” that limit women’s ability to be true to herself and to find happiness. This article is also meant for modern women who have more equality but may still face the same obstacles as those from a hundred years earlier. The message speaks to women who are oppressed by a culture that traps them in one of two factions: the overextended, “emancipated” worker or the simple, “enslaved” homemaker. Women’s attitude toward freedom is distorted by boundaries imposed by society. Their familial values have been compromised to fill the expected paradigm of a modern woman. This article prompts a change in attitude and a re-evaluation of values to promote individuality of women. Goldman hopes that women will look within themselves to find what will make them happy instead of conforming to society’s idea of an emancipated woman. To a traditionalists who reject the idea of equal rights for women, this article may appear to support their beliefs. To feminists, this article may seem to criticize their movement. A modern audience would interpret the text similarly to the original intended audience. While the issues addressed have improved, it is still far from ideal. The modern woman would identify with the emancipated woman of the early 1900’s and agree with Goldman’s message.

(Marketing Director, N. Tran)

Presentation byNina Tran