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Response to Assignment #2

Alfie Corteza
Section 9

In Caliban and the Witch Women, the Body, and Primitive Accumulation, by Silvia Federici, there is a fundamental concept, and it is the degradation of women. It is all caused by the actions of the governments enforcing laws and social rules that place women in numerous predicaments in Europe in the medieval ages.

An example is the portrayal of women as infamous antagonists in rebel activities. Society at the time had thought women had a sense of superiority as there was a belief that they were above the law, and would be protected by their husbands. However, it was quite the opposite in reality as these portrayals of women were debilitating, as misogyny was already on the rise and women faced violence from males. At a time when food and money were difficult to come by, becoming a vagabond, a migrating worker, or a nomad was nearly impossible because of the possibility of having to take care of their pregnancies or having to care for young children. On top of having a difficult time an occupation, females at the time had disadvantages when having a job. At the time female wages were the lowest and was considered a fraction compared to males, and women’s work became separated into its’ section known as “women’s labor” which was thought to be easier and less cumbersome. Ultimately women had no access to earnings resulting in staying in a position of permanent poverty and relying on a male for income.

Another aspect that reveals the unreasonably harsh laws against women would be related to pregnancy. Even though women were considered lesser than the men, society heavily relied upon their one benefit, which was having a uterus and having the possibility to procreate. But what is truly appalling is the fact that the government approved of public spying on women and any wrong doing, and on top of that, society had the power to act as harshly as they wanted for punishment. Some actions would be being excommunicated from a town for years on end, being physically marked, being drowned by tortuous machines, and even life imprisonment. In the end, the woman didn’t receive the gratitude of giving birth to a newborn, but rather the doctor did.

These aspects make the female gender look as if they are a hindrance to society, and are not robust enough to take care of themselves. By making use of women and leaving them with destitute and stripped of any personal rights, it left them with no other choice but to take actions that risked their lives. As a result, those actions would be then placed upon all females and would create a negative portrayal of women.