Differences underlying similarities. Divergent types of characters accentuating gender roles in Twain’s "Eve’s Diary" and Munro’s "Boys and Girls"

Seminar Paper , 2017 , 15 Pages , Grade: 1

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

This term paper will argue that the two texts from Twain and Munro are equal in their attempt to prove the way gender roles are constructed and in their criticizing of those – notwithstanding their own differences in time, age, manner and tone, and so they allow us to ask the question of how they affect the characters, and ultimately, the readers.

As Judith Butler says in Gender Trouble, “Originally intended to dispute the biology-is-destiny formulation, the distinction between sex and gender serves the argument that whatever biological intractability sex appears to have, gender is culturally constructed (…)” (9). Both writers are aware that the differences between men and woman exist, but what they are interested in is the way in which these differences become ingrained in our society to a point where it is difficult for an individual to break free from the boundaries and establish oneself as a person, rather than identifying primarily as “male” or “female”.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The use of tone
• Animals as symbols
• The portrayal of relationships
• The importance of language
• Conclusion

Objectives and Key Themes

This paper aims to analyze the portrayal of gender roles in Mark Twain's "Eve's Diary" and Alice Munro's "Boys and Girls", highlighting how their differing writing styles allow them to effectively critique societal expectations. Despite their distinct approaches, both texts ultimately argue for the constructed nature of gender roles and their impact on individuals.

• The construction of gender roles
• The influence of societal expectations on individual identity
• The use of tone and style to portray gender stereotypes
• The role of language in shaping perceptions of gender
• The impact of gender roles on relationships

Chapter Summaries

• Introduction: This section introduces the concept of gender as a socially constructed phenomenon and outlines the paper's focus on analyzing Twain's "Eve's Diary" and Munro's "Boys and Girls" to understand how they critique gender roles. It also establishes the key argument that the differences in their writing styles enhance their ability to express their concerns.
• The use of tone: This section explores how the writers utilize tone to create specific ambiances and vivid portrayals of their characters, influencing the reader's understanding of the stories. Twain's humorous and ironic tone, for instance, reinforces stereotypical representations of women, while Munro's more direct and straightforward style fosters empathy for her characters.

Keywords

The primary focus of this paper is the analysis of gender roles, societal expectations, and the impact of those expectations on individual identity. Key themes include the construction of gender, the use of tone and language to portray gender stereotypes, and the influence of historical context on literary works.

• College: University of Graz
• Course: InterAmerica, InterSectional Literature
• Grade: 1
• Author: Ivana Matic (Author)
• Publication Year: 2017
• Pages: 15
• Catalog Number: V352076
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668385009
• ISBN (Book): 9783668385016
• Language: English
• Tags: literature, mark twain, alice munro, short story, gender, gender roles