Essay Questions

What are the failures of Dr. Madden, according to the author?

Dr. Madden is a learned man with the right family, but he failed to plan for his family's future. God blessed Dr. Madden with beautiful and bright girls. However, Dr. Madden failed to put appropriate investments to ensure a good life for her daughters in the future. For instance, Dr. Madden did not prioritize good education for his girls to ensure that they get good jobs in the future. Additionally, Dr. Did not have adequate savings to take care of his daughters in his absence. Unfortunately, when Dr. Madden died, things took a drastic turn for his daughters. The daughters languished in poverty and became helpless. Unluckily, Gertrude, Martha, and Isabel passed away after their father's demise because of the challenging economic times. The rest of the girls went to London and other places to look for jobs, but life was never easy.

How did Miss Barfoot and Rhoda deliver women from societal captivity?

Society is tailored to believe that a woman has no place in the economic world. Dr. Madden is part of the community that majorly believes in the boys-child's empowerment while disregarding girls. Dr. Madden did not invest in his daughters' education, and when he died, they all suffered in poverty. Miss Barfoot came out of her comfort zone to establish an institution that empowers women using her inheritance. Rhoda helped Miss Barfoot to educate and empower women in society so that they could get financial freedom. Therefore, women empowerment is an important motif that manifests itself in the book ‘The Odd Women’.

What differentiates Rhoda from the rest of her sisters?

Rhoda is a resilient girl who is focused on bringing a positive impact on the world through women's empowerment. Unlike her sisters, who are in love with their father's romantic novels, Rhoda is focused on different dreams and aspirations. Rhoda believes that women should be empowered to stand on their own financially and decisions making. However, she understands that many women have been brainwashed that they belong to men. Regardless of the reluctance of many women to embrace empowerment, Rhoda works closely with Miss Barfoot and end up emancipating many women in the long run.