klow

[chloealmendras]

Group 4: Feminist Approach

• What types of roles do women have in the text?

Women’s roles are tied to their social class and marriage. Protagonist Mathilde is a clerk’s wife, she handles home life but also dreams of moving up socially. Other women are either privileged like Madame Forestier, or working-class and act as contrasts to Mathilde. None of them have their own jobs or roles outside of these areas.

• Are the female characters the protagonists or secondary and minor characters?

Mathilde’s definitely the protagonist, the whole story follows her and what happens to her. The other women like Madame Forestier and the working-class characters are just there to support the story, so they’re secondary or minor.

• Do any stereotypical characterizations of women appear?

At first, Mathilde’s shown focused on beauty and luxury, and men think women need finery to fit in. But this gets turned around later by how resilient she is.

• What are the attitudes toward women held by the male characters?

They value women based on how well they can make the family look good socially, like how nice they dress and present themselves. They tie a woman’s worth to what she looks like and whether she’s married, not really to who she is as a person.

• What is the author's attitude toward women in society?

He shows that women are held back by how society works, their value gets tied to who they marry and what class they’re from, so they don’t get much freedom to do their own thing. He feels for them having to make hard choices because of this, and calls out how the system cares more about status than what each woman can actually do.m

[chloealmendras]

Argumentative Essay: Is Social Media Responsible for the Rise in Teen Anxiety and Depression?

Many experts argue that social media is a major contributor to the rise of anxiety and depression among teenagers, and I agree with this claim. Social media exposes teens to constant comparisons, unrealistic standards, and pressure to present a “perfect life,” which can damage their self-esteem. Research from the Journal of Adolescence shows that teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media are more likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression. These platforms—designed to keep users scrolling—create an environment where teens feel judged, watched, and never “good enough.”

However, some people argue that social media is not the cause, but merely a tool that teens use to communicate, express themselves, and find support. They claim that mental health issues come from deeper problems such as family stress, school pressure, or genetics, not from apps like Instagram or TikTok. Social media, according to this view, can even help teens build friendships and access mental health resources they might not find offline.

While this counterclaim has some truth, it overlooks how social media intensifies existing problems. Even if mental health issues come from multiple sources, constant exposure to online pressure makes those problems worse. The American Psychological Association reports that heavy social media use disrupts sleep, increases loneliness, and heightens emotional stress—especially among teens. Therefore, while social media is not the only cause, it plays a significant and undeniable role in the growing rates of teen anxiety and depression.