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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are gender roles portrayed in Twain's "Eve's Diary" and Munro's "Boys and Girls"?
Both authors critique the idea that gender is biological destiny, showing instead how societal expectations and cultural constructions shape male and female identities.
What is the significance of Judith Butler's theory in this paper?
Butler's concept that gender is culturally constructed serves as a theoretical framework to analyze how the characters in both stories struggle with or conform to societal boundaries.
How does the tone differ between Twain and Munro?
Twain uses a humorous and ironic tone to highlight stereotypes, while Munro employs a more direct and serious style to foster empathy for the challenges faced by her characters.
What role do animals play as symbols in these texts?
Animals are often used to mirror human relationships and gender dynamics, symbolizing either the wild nature of characters or the domestic constraints placed upon them.
Why is language important in the construction of gender?
The paper argues that the way characters speak and are spoken about reinforces gender stereotypes and limits their ability to establish an individual identity.
What is the central conclusion regarding individual identity?
The analysis suggests that breaking free from gender boundaries is difficult because these roles are deeply ingrained in society, often overshadowing a person's individual self.
- Citar trabajo
- Ivana Matic (Autor), 2017, Differences underlying similarities. Divergent types of characters accentuating gender roles in Twain’s "Eve’s Diary" and Munro’s "Boys and Girls", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/352076
