Unit 4-Prompt 1

After analyzing on who was more successful in promoting their feminist agendas, it was clear that Ursula K. Le Guin’s She Unnames Them provided a direct message on her view of feminism and identity. In her short story, Le Guin discusses how the narrator had become more connected with the animals after taking away their names. The names of the animals happen to be the labels that humans give in order to distinguish each of them. Although few animals objected the idea of giving away their personal names, it was clear they only wanted to give away the animal name that were forced upon them only for descriptions on what they are. This is vital to Le Guin’s goal on promoting her view of feminism because she is attempting to promote the idea that identity is the issue. In this short story, the narrator is claiming that labeling an animal or anything only furthers the separation of differences between one another and is the root of our struggle for equality. Through this story, Le Guin is arguing that the idea of having to label men and women for what they are is the root cause of why there is inequality between the genders. By labeling each other by gender, we only separate ourselves by viewing each other on what we are instead of who we are. This is the goal that Le Guin is trying  to achieve through feminism–stopping the perception that humans should view and treat each other for what they are.

As for Margaret Atwood’s Happy Endings, it was a little difficult understanding what she is arguing for her feminist agenda because the structure of the dialogue is very different compared to She Unnames Them. Although the idea the death is inevitable in plots and the importance of the ending is a common concern for readers doesn’t seem related to feminism, her argument of trying to view a storyline through questioning how and why does provokes the discussion that we should discuss how did the story came about and why did it occur. This can be translated to her view of her agenda by provoking discussions on how and why are we in this social issue of gender equality. Although this is very compelling, it was very difficult to understand and not as clear as Le Guin. Also, her story looks to be more direct towards literature issues instead of equality issues.