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Assignment 4 – Feminism and Marxism

In this work, Frederici speaks about the presence of Capitalism in Medieval Europe. Slowly, the economic system is being overrun by patriarchy, as a woman’s presence in society is becoming more and more excluded. As Capitalism took over, forcing Feudalism out, the degradation of women soon began as their placement in society changed greatly. Frederici discusses the sudden changes in women’s labor, as they are given unfair wages and unsafe working conditions. Women were continuously seen as housewives and were not given the same opportunities as men when it came to work. By keeping women limited in this sense, they were able to have the advantage by practically forcing women to rely on their husbands for support. Another way of keeping women limited was by pressing societal roles onto them. Soon enough, land and the purchase of it became increasingly popular. However, women were constantly confined to the typical domestic role, which did not allow them to branch out and participate in the buying and selling of land. They did not have enough resources or money to do so, thus leaving them under the control of their husbands.

Frederici continues to discuss the presence of sexual violence at the time as well. Ultimately, it was just another way of establishing capitalism at the time. As the strengthening of the wealthy, male population grew, the female population became more and more oppressed. Naturally, women had to remain inferior to men in order for Capitalism to rise with the male population. Soon enough, prostitution and violence against women became a typical occurrence. It is these situations that create boundaries for women and limit them from breaking free from the clutches of the wealthy white male. Besides the sexualization of women, there was also the accusation of women being witches. Women were considered to be witches if they could not reproduce, and in order to blame someone for this, the male population started the witch hunt. They believed it was their fault that there was a lack of reproduction. Women were unable to voice their opinion, be economically involved, and were seen as nothing more than housewives and child bearers. If they were anything else, they were discriminated against and were stripped of any humanness. Frederici clearly wanted to emphasize the unfair treatment of women during medieval Europe, as it was led by a sudden urge to grow economically that could not be done without tearing down women and keeping them under the thumb of the wealthy white male.