From its beginnings, American society was a system based on certain values, e.g. Christianity. These values are affected by events like war, waves of immigration and the fluctuations of economy and therefore change constantly. In those changing times, family was meant to be a fixed value in society but in the 20th century they started to disintegrate, especially referring to the role model of women.
This paper discusses the presentation of gender and sexuality in Rita Mae Brown's novel "Rubyfruit Jungle", including female role models and homosexuality in the context of the ever present conventions in 1960s America.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction - a survey of family and female life in the American society of the 1960s
2. Gender and sexuality in R. M. Brown’s Rubyfruit Jungle
2.1. Role-model housewife and mother
2.1.1. Carrie
2.1.2. Other examples
2.2. Molly – a self-made woman?
2.2.1. Molly and the role model
2.2.2. Molly – a self-made woman?
3. Conclusion
4. Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the tension between traditional feminine role models and individual agency in the American society of the 1960s, using Rita Mae Brown’s novel Rubyfruit Jungle as a primary case study. It investigates how social, cultural, and familial expectations of the era shaped the lives of women, particularly the protagonist Molly Bolt, and explores the difficulties faced by those who resist these gender-specific norms.
- The societal construction of the 1960s American family structure.
- Analysis of the feminine role model (housewife and mother) through characters like Carrie Bolt.
- The intersection of homosexuality and identity in a restrictive cultural environment.
- Molly Bolt’s struggle for independence and rejection of traditional gender stereotypes.
- Economic and professional limitations (glass ceiling) faced by women in the mid-20th century.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2.1. Molly and the role model
Every day, little Molly sees women who follow the traditional role model like her adoptive mother and her aunt. They should serve as idols for her, but Molly does not like the idea of having to do what others tell her. From her childhood, she is very self-confident and has non-traditional ideas about her future. Her dreams do not include getting married and having children. She would rather become president of the USA.
Molly wants to abandon the role model that forces her ‘only’ to be a man’s assistant. Because of this, her attitude clashes early with the traditional role and family model supported by Carrie and taken on by others like Cheryl Spiegelglass.
In contrast to Molly, Cheryl is a typical girl. She wears dresses, never gets dirty and plays with dolls, never with cars or in the mud like the boys and Molly do. Cheryl fits the Shirley Temple image popular at that time: a blonde, cute little girl (cf. p.30). There is a strong contrast between her and Molly, especially due to Molly’s darker complexion and her un-feminine behaviour. This contrast shows the distinction between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ that is expressed in many novels and movies by the looks of protagonist and antagonist. In this case, it is less the distinction between good and bad but between adapting to society’s expectations or being a ‘black sheep’.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction - a survey of family and female life in the American society of the 1960s: This chapter establishes the theoretical background regarding the 1960s American nuclear family and the rigid gender roles imposed upon women by societal and cultural influences.
2. Gender and sexuality in R. M. Brown’s Rubyfruit Jungle: This chapter explores how characters in the novel embody or challenge traditional feminine roles, focusing on the dichotomy between conformist mothers and the non-conformist protagonist.
2.1. Role-model housewife and mother: This chapter analyzes how characters like Carrie Bolt and other minor figures fulfill the societal expectations of a traditional homemaker and mother, and the pressure to adhere to these roles.
2.1.1. Carrie: This section details how Carrie Bolt serves as the primary example of the 'good' mother/housewife model, highlighting her flaws and the social pressure behind her lifestyle.
2.1.2. Other examples: This section examines how other female characters in the novel eventually succumb to traditional family roles, dismissing past lesbian experiences as 'foolishness'.
2.2. Molly – a self-made woman?: This chapter investigates the protagonist's quest for professional and personal autonomy in a system designed to restrict her to gender-specific employment.
2.2.1. Molly and the role model: This section discusses Molly's early rejection of traditional upbringing and her defiance against stereotypes imposed by her peers and family.
2.2.2. Molly – a self-made woman?: This section evaluates whether Molly succeeds in her quest for independence, noting the systemic barriers she faces in the workplace and her resilience in spite of them.
3. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes that while Molly fails to become a self-made woman in the conventional sense, she succeeds in abandoning the traditional role model and asserting her own identity.
4. Bibliography: Lists the academic sources, sociological theories, and literary references used to support the paper's analysis.
Keywords
Rubyfruit Jungle, Rita Mae Brown, Gender Roles, Feminism, 1960s American Society, Homosexuality, Molly Bolt, Traditional Family Model, Self-made Woman, Social Stereotypes, Women's Liberation, Individualism, Gender Discrimination, Patriarchy, Identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this paper?
This paper analyzes the feminine role model in 1960s American society through the lens of Rita Mae Brown's novel Rubyfruit Jungle, focusing on how gender and sexuality influence individual development.
What are the core thematic fields covered?
The work explores themes of social conformity, the nuclear family structure, lesbian identity, the historical struggle for gender equality, and the economic barriers faced by women in the mid-20th century.
What is the main research question or goal?
The study aims to determine how the protagonist, Molly Bolt, navigates and challenges the rigid feminine role models of the 1960s, and whether she successfully achieves the status of a "self-made woman."
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper uses a literary analysis approach combined with sociological perspectives, referencing theories on family roles (such as Talcott Parsons' model) and the social climate of the 1960s to interpret the character dynamics in the novel.
What is discussed in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the traditional expectations of motherhood and homemaking through characters like Carrie Bolt, contrasts these with the protagonist's non-conformist path, and discusses the structural barriers (the "glass ceiling") that prevent women from achieving professional success.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include gender roles, Rubyfruit Jungle, Molly Bolt, feminine role model, 1960s society, social stereotypes, and the pursuit of independence.
How does the novel portray the conflict between Molly and her mother, Carrie?
The conflict arises from Carrie's adherence to the traditional housewife role and her expectation that Molly should conform to polite, submissive behavior, whereas Molly rejects these gender-specific constraints entirely.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding Molly’s success as a self-made woman?
The author concludes that while Molly does not achieve the conventional success defined by Franklin's "self-made man" ideal, she does succeed in abandoning the imposed role model and gaining personal independence, setting her apart from other women of her time.
- Citar trabajo
- BA, MA Kathrin Gerbe (Autor), 2005, Abandoning the role model - Gender and sexuality in Rita Mae Brown's "Rubyfruit Jungle", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/45943
