Page 119 - Middle Georgia State University - Knighted 2019

Monstrous Women and the Patriarchy
Kaitlin Hill

Throughout history, women have lived in prescribed roles. These duties were assigned
and enforced by the males in their respective societies. A recurring motif throughout history,
mythology, and religion is the deviant woman. This idea of a defiant woman carries over into
daily life in modern times as well. These women are ostracized, demonized, and punished
heavily for straying from the social norm, being labeled as monstrous. Men label a female figure
as monstrous when they become fearful of her because she rejects a position or lifestyle
subordinate to theirs.

Some of the earliest creation myths correlate a goddess with divine fertility. These
goddesses were either the mother of future generations of gods or the mother earth. In both
instances, the mother goddess was inevitably used and disposed of. In the Sumerian culture, the
mother goddess, Tiamat, was killed and her body was used to create the earth. This is a recurring
motif as many mother goddesses were killed and used and then replaced by a male god
(Bullough et al. 16). The fertility and mother myths translated to a societal standard for women
stating that in order for their lives to be fulfilled and successful, women must marry and bear
children. This standard is supported by the common portrayal of goddesses as sexual beings with
the primary focus on their fertility. These women were often depicted as having round,
voluptuous hips and ample breasts to, again, emphasize the fertility and sexuality of the female
body (Vivante 1). The idea of women existing just for fertility and sexuality did not just exist
within literature and mythology; instead, mythology and literature emulated what was already
accepted and believed in society.

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