Misogyny in Hangover Square Miss Ella Catherine Scammell 11th Grade

Patrick Hamilton represents women in such a misogynistic manner in Hangover Square that we do not get insight on a single positive portrayal of a woman that George, the novel's protagonist, meets on his journeys. Instead, we only hear a remotely positive attitude about a woman when we either hear about George’s Aunt at the beginning of the novel or about George’s sister, who has died; even then, neither of these two women are met directly by the reader. Mainly, the representation of women is portrayed through Netta. Through Hamilton’s use of free direct discourse, the reader may assume that the ideas in the narrative are unbiased and separate from George’s thoughts because the novel is not written in first person. We think that we are outside of his consciousness; however, the narrative shows us insights into George’s thoughts, which in turn provoke the reader to empathize with him and understand his opinions. Because of this design, the reader’s opinions of Netta and the other women in the novel are crafted to encourage negative thoughts on women.

The first woman we meet in the novel other than George’s Aunt is the woman on the train who joins George in his compartment. George has not even spoken to this woman before, nor has...