Outside Reading: Herland #4

     I've reached the end of Herland, and much of what I feared would be left open has been accounted for. The reasons for returning home are explained, and as for whether Herland becomes open to the rest of the world, it is left a possibility. Connections with other time periods are virtually the same as they were before, so I won't go into too much detail there. Basically, trends which related the book to Rationalism, Romanticism, and Puritanism continue.
     Once again, it is with Realism where this book truly makes a connection. Throughout the last three chapters, one topic in society which is discussed greatly is the concept of God. Gilman implies that society's view of God and religion is similar to that of Herland's, but gives a few areas where American society could improve. Gilman seems to believe that religion should be a driving force rather than a restricting force, and should permeate everything that people do not simply as a "being" but more so as a "power." One area which describes this in more detail is when Gilman writes, "Here was a religion which gave to the searching mind a rational basis in life, the concept of an immense Loving Power working steadily out through them, toward good" (98). Here, it can be seen that religion is viewed more in terms of logical ways to go forward and progress. Gilman seems to include these details of religion not only to encourage religion as a strong part of society but also to relate religion with human progress. In addition to discussion about religion, there is much more discussion on equality between men and women, eventually branching into sexuality (which I won't go into any detail about, as I don't have quite as skilled a way with words as Gilman). Perhaps the largest commentary on society, however, is put forward when the downfalls of American society are truly brought to light, shown when Gilman writes, "Now, in my efforts at explanation, I began to see both ways more keenly than I had before; to see the painful defects of my own land, the marvelous gains of this" (116). Here, a sense of shame can be seen from Van of his own society as he truly comes to appreciate the perfection of the society in Herland. Again, as I've said before, by contrasting the societies of America and Herland Gilman identifies faults and encourages improvement.
     The "American Dream" in these last three chapters seemed to be that one day, society in America and the rest of the world will improve to a point where they can eventually have safe communication with Herland. Though it seems Herland has remained closed after a good many years, as Van is recounting this story seemingly years later and is still protecting the country's location, the possibility remains that Ellador may come back with a positive report and a passage to the country may open.
     In terms of connecting with other books, I found these last three chapters to connect with McTeague: A Story of San Francisco, by Frank Norris, particularly at the part involving Terry's little mishap. Here, a loss of control over instinct and desire can be seen on Terry's part, similarly to how McTeague was unable to control himself and kissed Trina while she was unconscious on the operating chair. Though the incidents are on perhaps different degrees of severity, a very similar loss of control due to desire can be seen by both characters.
     In conclusion, I found the ending to be satisfying. I'm not sure where Ellador went exactly, as she is always mentioned passively, if at all, wherever Van breaks from his narrative and describes his present situation. In fact, I'm not sure whether Van is writing the story in Herland or in America, or whether anyone returned to Herland at all. Nonetheless, the ending allowed for both optimistic and pessimistic endings to the story, which I thought was clever, and overall the book had both a strong and (surprisingly) highly entertaining social message involving women and equality.