A dramatic contrast between the power of men and the dehumanization of women is a theme carried throughout the text. As women play the role of sexual being and are often objectified, their main function is belong to a man and fulfill his desires.They are completely disregarded and treated as if they are subhuman. In the novel, The Devil in the White City, women are dehumanized through sexual objectification, as they exist only to feed the desires of men.Women are controlled by the men in their life and their desires, this not only acts as a detriment to the women but also to the men.The perverse desires of Herman Webster Mudgett and Dr. H Holmes develops an emptiness within them as they are consumed by their lust. All they can do is lust
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As always,the thought aroused him” (Larson 102)This objectified view of women gives them the ability to use women because if Mudgett sees Myrta simply as an object to consume then he cannot feel liable for using her. For he is only consuming, feeding his needs. This is highlighted by the connotation of the word aroused, which not only expresses intense sexual desire, but also emphasizes Mudgett’s overtly sexual perception of women. Myrta simply acts something to fulfill Mudgett’s own wants, as a result of this control Mudgett continues to use her to fulfill his own desires. He knows that he can use her as much as he desires therefore he continues to do so, as he is obsessed with the power he has over the girl. This same obsession in power is seen in Dr. Holmes.Larson writes that “Holmes possessed Julia now as fully as if she were an antebellum slave, and he reveled in his possession” (Larson 146).The simile comparing Julia to a slave further emphasizes the control of men, and the powerlessness of women. In addition it highlights how women act to serve men and are considered as subhuman which is quite literally expressed by the word “slave”.This idea of women being subhuman, creates a distinct division between men and women. Men are the consumers and women are the products, further highlighting the hierarchy that is developed based off of sexism within the
As always,the thought aroused him” (Larson 102)This objectified view of women gives them the ability to use women because if Mudgett sees Myrta simply as an object to consume then he cannot feel liable for using her. For he is only consuming, feeding his needs. This is highlighted by the connotation of the word aroused, which not only expresses intense sexual desire, but also emphasizes Mudgett’s overtly sexual perception of women. Myrta simply acts something to fulfill Mudgett’s own wants, as a result of this control Mudgett continues to use her to fulfill his own desires. He knows that he can use her as much as he desires therefore he continues to do so, as he is obsessed with the power he has over the girl. This same obsession in power is seen in Dr. Holmes.Larson writes that “Holmes possessed Julia now as fully as if she were an antebellum slave, and he reveled in his possession” (Larson 146).The simile comparing Julia to a slave further emphasizes the control of men, and the powerlessness of women. In addition it highlights how women act to serve men and are considered as subhuman which is quite literally expressed by the word “slave”.This idea of women being subhuman, creates a distinct division between men and women. Men are the consumers and women are the products, further highlighting the hierarchy that is developed based off of sexism within the