Disability and literature - Essay Example

There is one common denominator as far as social order workings are concerned and this centers on gender and its role in the society. In this respect, there is much debate going on concerning the relationship between gender and disability. The concept of feminism features prominently in this debate and scholars have advanced different theories to support their claims. Critical analysis of “Good Country People” by Flannery OConnor indicates a clear point of intersection between disability and gender.

Deriving important theoretical concepts echoed by Rosemarie Garland-Thomson in Integrating Disability, Transforming Feminist Theory gives a picture of what the society think about disability and gender with much focus on the womenfolk. In Flannery O’Connor’s case, there are two main characters in Joy who is also referred to as Hulga and the young man who sells bible. There is also Mrs. Hopewell and Mrs. Freeman who plays a significant role through behavior to explain the interesting disability and gender relationship.

The society sees women as lesser beings on various premises and this sort of prejudice assigns women some level of disability. Feminists argue that women have long been considered sex tools by men but undergo depreciation in terms of beauty and physical structure with time. This form of natural process is considered some sort of a weakness woman who is treated as a disability. This explains why the elderly women, who have most probably attained menopause phase of the reproductive life, are considered to be of less value.

This is an aspect of physical disability being analogous to deficiency in terms of performing some activities. In ordinary society, men can be physically incapacitated but still pursue their dreams and end up marrying as a complete individual. However, the case of a disable woman is viewed with pity and is