And Women Must Weep - Formalist

And Women Must Weep follows a basic short story structure, to an extent. It is narrated by the main protagonist, Dolly. We come to know Dolly as the story is told through her inner monologue and her point of view on the events that transpire. The major characters are Dolly, Auntie Cha, and Miss Biddons. Auntie Cha and Miss Biddons represent the role and pressures of women in society. Dolly represents the young women who are smart enough to realise that being a perfect 'doll' in society's eyes is no way to live. This is a good contrast with her name being 'Dolly', and women being perceived as dolls in society. The setting, the ball, is a symbol of society and the constraints that come with it. It begins with an engaging beginning, then proceeds to rise with three trials, and finishes with a climax, but no resolution. In the beginning, the protagonist (in third person) illustrates the process of getting ready for the ball, and the constant scrutiny she is under by her Auntie Cha and Miss Biddons, as she claims she is at her prettiest. It than follows her (protagonist) to the ball, where she faces many trials, such as a torn dress, and no one wanting to dance with her, and the humiliation she faces because of that. It ends with a harrowing climax, and the protagonist’s realisations. There are very low excitement levels during the whole story, and character development happens during the trials.