Read the passage and answer the questions based on it. You are required to select your answers based on the contents of the passage and opinion of the author only. According to the civil laws of most countries, obedience is no longer the duty of a wife; every woman has the political right to vote, but these liberties remain theoretical as long as she does not have economic freedom. A woman supported by a man is not liberated from the male. It is through gainful employment that woman has travelled most of the distance that separated her from the male, and nothing else can guarantee her liberty in practice. I once heard a maidservant declare, while cleaning the stone floor of a hotel lobby, “I never asked anybody for anything; I succeeded all by myself.” She was as proud of her self-sufficiency as a Rockefeller, Ford or Birla. However, the mere combination of the right to vote and a job does not mean complete liberation: working, today, is not a liberty. A recent study of women workers in a car factory shows that they would prefer to stay in the home rather than work in the factory. The majority of women do not escape from the traditional feminine world. Their jobs at the factory do not relieve them of housekeeping burdens; they get from neither society nor their husbands, the assistance they need to become in concrete fact the equals of men.
Why does the writer talk about the maidservant in the hotel lobby?
Economic independence is necessary for women’s liberation
Understanding the Maidservant Example in the Passage
The passage discusses the concept of women's liberation, moving beyond just civil laws and political rights. The author argues that while laws grant theoretical liberties, true freedom requires economic independence. The core idea presented is that "It is through gainful employment that woman has travelled most of the distance that separated her from the male, and nothing else can guarantee her liberty in practice."
Following this statement, the author provides the example of a maidservant. The maidservant's declaration, "I never asked anybody for anything; I succeeded all by myself," is highlighted, along with her pride in her self-sufficiency. This self-sufficiency comes directly from her ability to earn her own living through her job.
Let's analyze why the author includes this specific example:
- The example immediately follows the assertion that gainful employment (economic independence) is crucial for practical liberty and bridging the gap with men.
- The maidservant's pride stems from her "self-sufficiency," which is a direct result of her economic activity (her job). This self-sufficiency embodies a form of liberation from reliance on others.
- The author compares her pride to that of wealthy industrialists like Rockefeller, Ford, or Birla, emphasizing the significance of this feeling of independence regardless of the job's social status or pay level.
Now let's evaluate the given options based on this understanding and the passage:
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Option 1: The servants of today will one day be freed from their rich masters
This option talks about freeing servants from masters, which is not the subject of the passage. The passage focuses on women's liberation from dependence on the male, primarily through economic means.
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Option 2: A servant can become as rich as Rockefeller or Birla
The passage compares the *pride in self-sufficiency* of the maidservant to the pride of Rockefeller or Birla. It does not state or imply that the maidservant became or could become as wealthy as them. The comparison is metaphorical, highlighting the value of self-sufficiency.
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Option 3: Even with a low paid job women can achieve equality
The passage states that gainful employment helps women travel the distance towards equality, but also clarifies later that a job alone isn't complete liberation and working isn't always a liberty, partly because societal and spousal support for housekeeping burdens is often lacking. While the maidservant has a job (likely low paid), the example emphasizes her *pride in self-sufficiency* gained from that job, which directly relates to economic independence, a crucial *step* towards equality and liberation, as argued by the author. However, the primary point the author is making *with this specific example* is about the value and feeling of economic independence itself.
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Option 4: Economic independence is necessary for women’s liberation
This option directly aligns with the author's main argument leading into the maidservant example. The author explicitly states that gainful employment (economic independence) is the primary way women achieve practical liberty. The maidservant's pride in her self-sufficiency derived from her job serves as a concrete, albeit simple, illustration of the positive impact of earning one's own living as a foundation for liberation.
The author uses the maidservant's example to underscore the importance of economic independence, even at a basic level, in providing a woman with a sense of self-sufficiency and independence, which is fundamental to her liberation. The example serves to illustrate the practical value of earning one's own living as described just before it.
Detailed Analysis of Options and Passage Connection
| Option | Analysis in relation to Passage and Example | Support from Passage? |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Freedom from rich masters | Irrelevant to the passage's focus on women's liberation from dependence on men via economic freedom. | No |
| 2: Becoming rich like Rockefeller | Misinterprets the comparison. The comparison is about *pride* in self-sufficiency, not wealth accumulation. | No |
| 3: Achieving equality with a low paid job | Partially related as economic independence aids equality, but the example focuses on the *feeling* of self-sufficiency derived from independence, which is the basis of economic freedom. Passage also qualifies that a job alone isn't complete liberation. | Indirect/Partial |
| 4: Economic independence is necessary for women’s liberation | Directly supports the author's main argument stated just before the example. The maidservant's self-sufficiency from her job exemplifies this independence. | Strong |
Therefore, the author talks about the maidservant in the hotel lobby to illustrate the point that economic independence, achieved through gainful employment, provides a crucial sense of self-sufficiency and is necessary for women's practical liberation.
Revision Table: Key Concepts from Passage
| Concept | Author's View |
|---|---|
| Civil Laws/Political Rights (Vote) | Grant theoretical liberties only. |
| Economic Freedom (Gainful Employment) | Necessary for practical liberty and bridging the gap with men. |
| Woman Supported by Man | Not liberated from the male. |
| Job Alone | Not complete liberation; working is not always a liberty due to burdens (housekeeping) and lack of support. |
Additional Information: Women's Economic Independence and Liberation
Economic independence refers to the ability of individuals, especially women, to earn and manage their own money without relying on others. The passage emphasizes that earning a living gives women a sense of self-reliance and freedom. Historically, women have often been dependent on male family members (fathers, husbands) for financial support. This financial dependence limited their choices, autonomy, and ability to participate fully in society and make independent decisions about their lives.
While civil rights like the right to vote are fundamental, the author argues that without the means to support oneself, these rights can feel hollow or difficult to exercise fully in practice. A woman who earns her own income has greater power to make decisions about where she lives, how she spends her money, and her overall lifestyle. This power is a critical component of personal and social liberation.
However, the passage also adds an important nuance: simply having a job does not automatically guarantee complete liberation. Women may still face challenges such as unequal pay, lack of support for domestic responsibilities, and societal expectations that keep them tied to traditional roles. Complete liberation requires addressing these systemic issues as well as ensuring economic independence.
The maidservant example, despite its simplicity, powerfully illustrates the foundational aspect of economic independence – the personal pride and sense of achievement gained from being self-sufficient. This feeling is a vital step on the path towards broader liberation.
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Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
What is the meaning of ‘intrigued’?
What are ice shelves?
What are icebergs?
When the iceberg turns upside down, it appears ________.
The use of science in its simple form has helped man to ____________
