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Assignment 04

In The Caliban and the Witch, Silvia Frederici definitely puts into perspective how much of an influence the economy has had over women’s rights throughout history. Due to land privatization and enclosures, citizens were losing their land and taxes were being increased. Many were affected but women suffered the most. Women were not being hired and if they were lucky to find jobs, they were paid the very least to work in uncomfortable settings. It was also difficult for women to move to other cities to find jobs elsewhere due to male violence and the duty of bearing children. Elderly women who lost the support of their children suffered the most; not being able to fend for themselves.

What stuck out to me were the similarities of the enclosure riots and the food-riots of England. The enclosure riots consisted of mostly all women rebels, protesting the social class and economic differences. During the beginning of these riots, women were considered “protected” under the law by their husbands; so much so that men would also dress up like women to be shielded when participating. This continued to happen until the government started making arrests for those involved.

During the food-riots, the prices of food increased tremendously; making it impossible for women without jobs to provide for their families. This, again, created a strong female presence in the fight for equality. Frederici then proceeds to mention that many women protested by bombarding bakeries, demanding food and supplies. When successful, the men would carry out bags of food away. I noticed how, in both these riots, it was always the women who saw the importance of equality, not only for themselves, but for their families, but it was always the men who were piggy-backing off their cause. It seemed as though the men would only want to help if they weren’t the people receiving the front-end of the consequences.