Time of the Temptress by Violet Winspear - Book Report/Review Example

Running Head: Women LOOKING INWARD: WOMEN IN EVOLUTION Here Your and Number Here Your here November 28, 2008 Abstract The purpose of this character analysis paper is to look closer into the distinct characters of the story in reference to the theories and principles from the book “The Psychology of Women” 5th edition by Margaret Matlin. The story read was a Harlequin Romance, titled: Time of the Temptress authored by Violet Winspear. After a short summary of the romance novel, this author will cover three levels of processing, which is intra personal, interpersonal, and socio structural affecting the main characters life in the book and how it correlates and holds up to the psychology of women. Introduction The story of romance moved around Eve Tarrant and Wade O’Mara. Eve, debutant of the year, who decided she needed a break from London’s social circle. She volunteered her services to a far flung place in Africa, to help the nuns in their noble mission to nurse the poverty stricken locals. After a short while, the town was attacked by insurgents and rebels. Everybody was forced to vacate, some by foot and some by plane. Eve found herself in a situation that she, would have to trek the jungle to reach Tanga, the nearest airstrip with the help of a mercenary, Major Wade O’Mara. The adventure Her jungle adventure was more than she asked for. The major, who was in charge of her safety, was strict and brute, a harden man who was focused on his mission to get them back to the civilization alive. There in the jungle, Eve had the chance to see the Major’s other side, a caring, passionate man with a strong will to survive. The brute soldier found the lady had more substance than any other woman he has met in his colorful years. The jungle, with all its madness was not a place to find love; and the situation that surrounds them: Wade, a mercenary old enough to be her father was married with a son almost as old as she; Eve, rich, pampered and from the world of the high society. Wade was strongly attracted to young Eve, as was Eve to Wade. On their last night together, Eve begged Wade to make love to her; Wade refused with a torn heart. On their final leg of the journey to Tanga, Eve had passed out from a raging infection induced from a thorn puncture earlier. The happy ending She woke up much later – back at home with her guardian and a gap in her memory. She could not remember the details of her jungle adventure. “Someone” had happened to her in the jungle. But she could not remember that person. Eventually through life’s funny coincidences they reunite and her memory is restored. Wade had been able to conveniently determine that his wife had abandoned him so long ago so that they were no longer married. He had also given up his life as a mercenary and taken up farming as Eve had suggested he might like, so long ago, in the jungle. The reader is left with no doubt that the couple will stay together united in love and understanding. In depth analysis Power versus Powerless Eve, the only woman in our novel happens to be our main character as well. The myth of the nonaggressive female is strongly supported in the novel. For example: “If women see themselves as weak and nonaggressive, they may believe that they cannot defend themselves against mens aggression” (Matlin, 2004, p 198) This is played out several times by Eve, for example: “Men believed that it excited a girl the thought of being at the mercy of a tough and ruthless character, and she didnt dare to look at Wade in case she actually felt a stirring curiosity about what it would feel like if he suddenly flung her down in the rampant ferns and took her with a all the forceful assurance with which he tackled everything” (Matlin, 2004, P 27) Wade O’Mara tells her: “You do realise that were on the run from a pack of two-legged animals who would have a glorious time passing you around like candy?” (Matlin, 2004, P 63) Eve is portrayed as powerless when in the company of Wade O’Mara, such as: “"I always preferred a rose," she said quietly. (Winspear, 1978, P 22) and “"True," she said with a faint smile.” (Winspear, 1978, P 22) Yet, in her memories she self-reports with: “"I wont be sold in the marriage market," she had stormed. "Id sooner work at Woolworths!"” (Winspear, 1978, P 22) She believes that “"men and women didnt only look and behave differently, but had a function in life that was also so very dissimilar and accounted for the fact that men had aggressive ways to which women submitted either willingly or unwillingly"” (Winspear, 1978, P 31) Eve wants to willingly submit before the end. The author probably understands, however, that powerless women are nevertheless looked upon as weak – and so to counteract the powerless myth, she sprinkles the novel with possible power for Eve, such as: “Defiance flickered through her...she wanted, as in the old days, to toss her Titian head and turn her back on a man.” (Winspear, 1978, P 25) As well as, “"Im not a romantic fool," she snapped. "You enjoy getting at me, dont you, just for the fun of it because Im keeping you from what you really enjoy!"” (Winspear, 1978, P 38) She is impulsive, a spur-of-the-moment kind of lady; she acts now and thinks later, as seen in her gesture when she put on some perfume in the jungle to minimize her feeling of ‘unseemliness’ and instead, had attracted one of the more dangerous jungle animals, a leopard. She was later reprimanded, and responded again without power: “"It covers up some of the sweat," she said defensively.” (Winspear, 1978, P 87) Wade O’Mara also shows that he culturally believes in the power of a male and powerlessness of a female, in fact, at one point he says to her when she is upset: “"Come on, wheres your smile?"” (Winspear, 1978, P 88) “Powerful people dont need to smile, whereas low-power people must often smile, even if they do not feel happy.” (Matlin, 2004, P 183) Eve’s view of masculinity is the typical society’s standard of masculinity: power and strength. When she had the chance to observe Wade O’Mara, she realized that he was a Man in the true sense of the word. In comparison to her future-fiancé, the crude soldier’s unpolished manliness was more appealing than ‘cultured’ handsomeness of the man that awaits her in London. A man’s security in terms of the things he does of the mastery and precision of his work is more appealing than vast land holdings and riches. The romantic relationship and marriage When looking at the romantic relationship that develops between the two characters it is obvious that they both feel physical attractiveness as theorized in the Psychology of Women book, chapter 8. The author of The Time of the Temptress makes this clear throughout, with thoughts from Eve such as “…he made her aware of herself as a woman…” (Winspear, 1978, P 72) and “…seeing beneath the dark stubble, the sun-lined skin, the erosion of his own youth, a face that made her heart give a jolt.” (Winspear, 1978, P 84) The author is careful to describe Wade from Eve’s point of view with desirable physical characteristic, i.e. chiseled jaw, tall with wide shoulders, albeit the first thoughts, while careful to describe Wade as attractive, were rough but powerful. And comments from Wade, show that he is also physically attracted, but obviously holding back, for example: “The fact that youre an attractive wench cuts little ice with me,…” (Winspear, 1978, P 46-47) The initial basis of deep affection sprouts from physical attraction. The physique of Wade was a big factor in getting Eve to pay attention to him. Physical attraction is present in both men and women but men openly admit being drawn to the physical attributes of the woman at first glance. In fact, it is a strong basis of love and relationship. Women are attracted to men because they feel a certain kind of security and protection where as, men are delighted to be with the woman who is beautiful, sensual and intelligent. Towards the end the attraction became so strong that she shamelessly offered herself to have sex with Wade, and when Wade refused, she was neither angry nor humiliated but...sad. When it comes to marriage, however, both women and men value honesty, good personality, and intelligence. (Matlin, 2004, P 248) The author makes sure to cover the personality and intelligence ground with just a few statements, such as when Eve tells Wade: “I actually prefer Raymond Chandler." (Winspear, 1978, P 70) And he replies “"Well, thats one for the books." He looked at her in a sort of pleased astonishment. "I really rate that man! His atmosphere--Bogart, of course, was superb as Philip Marlowe. Well, what do you know! A gal who goes for the real thing in thrillers."” (Winspear, 1978, P 70) For him a lady like her deserves more than just love affair, she deserves marriage. So when they parted ways in Tanga, he disappeared. Not telling anybody, he bought a farm in far away Morocco while he solicited legal advice on how to free himself to marry Eve. It is made clear that Wade is not only eligible but able to provider for her: “Hes a man in his prime and now hes settled on this fruit farm he may want to chance a second marriage.” (Matlin, 2004, P 179) It’s observable that the author of the romance – also consistently played out the attitudes of sexuality at that time. In the text book, chapter 9, attitudes about sexuality are discussed, including the expectations of our society for men and women. “…sexual double standard: They believed that premarital sex was inappropriate for women but excusable or even appropriate for men.” (Matlin, 2004, P 295) The author provided enough details to ensure that the reader was informed that Eve was ‘innocent’ and pure, while Wade was experienced and knowing: “"I want you--because youre young and pretty and innocent. I want to make a feast of you, here in the jungle. I want to kiss every bit of you and let my body revel in you--but Id hate my own guts in the morning, and I might even hate you, my vixen, for letting me do all that to you. Go home to England, Eve, sweet and untroubled, so I can remember you like that. How do you think I could live, not knowing if you were having my kid, or laid out in some clinic having it taken away? Do you think your upper-crust guardian would let his ward have the baby of a mercenary? Think again, my pretty Eve. A girl might hide whats in her heart, but theres no hiding a baby."” (Matlin, 2004, P 134) Conclusion We have to answer certain questions as to why these books are popular among women? First is that it is a story of love. Who does not want to be loved? Who does not want to fall in love? Who has not known love at one point in their loves? Love is universal, and it conquers all. It appeals to all. A story of love is either an escape from reality, a trip back in time, or prospecting for the future. Eve starts off as a restless debutante and eventually grows to a thoughtful helpful and sharp person. As well as, Wade, who is cynical and bitter and then becomes a desirable catch and a future caring partner. The text book asks: “You may wonder whether women are looking for strong, dominant men or for nice guys.” (Matlin, 2004, P 248) The author, Violet Winspear, made sure that Eve got all the qualities. Love stories revolve in a certain magical circle that it makes it very interesting to read. The reader can make a guess as to how it will end, but then again, reads on to make sure it is how it should end. Also worth mentioning is that, perhaps readers start reading novels like these because they have an unconscious void that needs to be filled up. There are certain emotions that are put hold, and can not come through unless given a moment to emerge. With some background in the “psychology of women”, I would say that these books more than are entertaining are a mirror of our society, of our culture. It is in the culture of reading that one learns. It is in learning that we understand ourselves. References Matlin, Margaret. W. (2004). The psychology of women. 5th Edition Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning. (183-338) Winspear, Violet. (1978). Time of the temptress. Toronto, Harlequin. Read More