Reinforcing the Domestic Role of Women through the Woman as Chicken Metaphor. A Diachronic Study.

Abstract

This paper traces the origin, evolution and survival of the WOMAN AS CHICKEN metaphor from Antiquity to present day in order to unveil the patriarchal views transmitted regarding the role of women by means of such an animal image. By looking at different sorts of sources which include literary fragments, proverbs, medical treatises, religious, didactic and political texts as well as newspaper and magazine articles, the different figurative senses attached to such an animal term are analyzed. The study reveals that regardless of the time lapse sexist attitudes towards the role of women have not changed that much throughout history.