And Women Must Weep

by Henry Handel Richardson

The undertones and themes of this short story become clear within the first paragraph, especially to those who see from a feminist lense. This story explores women’s vulnerability in a society that is ruled by men, and the social pressures that are placed upon them.

Dolly, the main protagonist in “And Women Must Weep,’ begins narrating the story from when she was getting ready for a Leap Year Ball. Her behaviour, as described as, ‘Instead of sitting, she stood very stiff and straight at the window … her long white gloves hanging loose over one arm so not to soil them,’ illustrates the sub-conscious desire women have been trained to have; to be perfect and airbrushed to appeal to and please men. 

Auntie Cha represents the female figure every girl has in her life, telling them how to act, how to speak (or not speak may be a more appropriate term), and how to appeal to men among other things, which is something that girls are taught from day one. Auntie Cha demonstrates her common role by scrutinising and ironing out every little crease, both literally and figuratively, which could ever drive a gentleman away, because that is the biggest fear women have. Chastising in such a way that seems helpful and kind, ‘ “Now, Dolly, remember not to look too serious. Or you’ll frighten the gentlemen off.” … “Come, come, child, you mustn’t tuck yourself away like that, or gentlemen will think you don’t want to dance.” … “For goodness sake, try and look agreeable,” ’ is just furthering the societal idea that women must obtain and maintain perfection to be deemed suitable by a man. 

When asked, or commanded, to dance, Dolly’s internal reaction, ‘While she had to say “Certainly,” and pretend to be very pleased, though she didn’t feel it, and really didn’t want to dance with him …’ exhibits how women will put themselves through things they don’t want to do in order to please the man and submit to society’s pressures and rules. 

By using the phrase ‘take me’ and ‘taken’ in reference to being chosen by a man, further instils the idea that women are male property, and are owned and traded from one man to another. The shame Dolly feels in not being ‘taken’ and ‘failing to attract gentlemen at the ball,’ illustrates how the social pressure placed on women can be crushing and soul destroying, because a woman is worthless without a man. 

Henry Handel Richardson first published this story in 1931, and the sexist themes in it truly reflect those in society at the time, where those like Dolly, unable to be deemed good enough for a man are frowned upon on society, because women had very little worth in society’s view otherwise.