In "Bastard Out of Carolina" by Dorothy Allison I thought about the gender roles that are used in the book. I think that Allison has something to say about the way that women are treated in Southern Society. She pays attention to the "white trash" version of white society.
One of the main points that Allison may be trying to make is the strength of women in this culture. Even though the reader gets the impression that the men are dominate in the culture, the women show extraordinary strength . The women in the Boatwright family in particular seem to be strong and rough. They are raising children and working outside the home. Working outside the home is a big departure from many of the reading about the south. These white women do not fit the mold of the Southern woman. Instead, they redefine how women act and behave. Their work outside the home sets them apart.
From the descriptions of the women in Allison's book the reader sees the the women are far from lady like. Many of the women in the Boatwright family use chewing tobacco and smoke. They also work in the yard growing and doing physical labor. They also seem to be in total control of the family. they are constantly running and managing the household in addition to working. Or when they men do not have jobs or are in jail the women take full of life.
Despite the strength that these women exhibit, I am puzzled why they allow the abuse to occur. I would think with all of their strength and ability to almost live independently of these men they would not allow it to occur. Yet, Allison describes these women in very positive and independent terms.
I think that Allison is trying to send a message about the way in which southern culture really operates. It is very different from the myth of the southern gentlemen and the southern lady.
ME!
- Kyle P.
- I am a freshman at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. I am majoring in History and Political Science. I am proud to say that I live in the Berkshires
6 comments:
I like the point that you made about how strong and indendant the women in the Boatwright family are. It seems to me that they have taken on the role normally assumed by men and that the men in this story are allowed to be children because the women are so strong-they aren't really needed.
Yeah this was definitely a bit different that many of the other stories that we've read. I like how the women are portrayed in this book. They seem to be real and like they've really lived. Instead of being the southern belle and staying at home looking good these women seem to have some attractive features, and work inside the home and outside the home. I like how Allison described all of the women according to their smell, the way they look, what they do, and where they live. It really gives a good mental picture, and like you said we are able to see how a lot of southern culture really is and how it is definitely different from the myth of the southern lady.
I loved the way Allison depicted women. I think it was more realistic than any other portrayal we've seen this whole semester. Although they were harsh characters, and obviously not at all the typical "southern belles" they were more like real women. They were strong and took care of their loved ones, even if it wasn't easy. All the women, of course, except for Anney...
Kyle,
I agree that the women in this novel show extraordinary strength. I feel that they have gone through so much and just keep getting beaten up by life, yet they are resilient and just keep picking themselves up and keep going. They are like energizer bunnies, running around and making up for whatever work their husbands do not do. While the men in the Boatwright family are described as lazy drunkards, the women are described as constantly busy with housework, and even have bent backs from their many years of manual labor. Although they are not considered “ladylike” in their society, and are often frowned upon, I admire them for their great strength to keep moving on everyday in the harsh living situations that they have to deal with and face. I personally have been lucky enough to grow up in a loving household in a great community and we all have to pitch in and do our share of work around the house, but my life is nothing compare to the Boatwrights. I can not even imagine going through the hardships in which they had to face each and every day.
I agree there is alot about gender in this book. And I think you are right, the women seem very strong but its also like the men are too in idea for the southern culture but not in the everyday life. In the story it seems all the aunts have to take care of the husbands and mostly support them becuase they are drinking and getting in trouble, one even in jail.
Kyle,
I like how you pointed out an issue that I really hadn’t examined as deeply. I was so caught up in the horrific life that Bone was forced to live, that I failed to dig deeper into other issues. I agree with you, though, that it does seem really strange that although Allison portrays the women as being so strong and being leaders in their homes, that they allow abuse to take place. Why did these women take the reins and do what they needed to in order to provide physically for their families by getting jobs, and yet fail to nourish their immediate needs? How could Anney be so strong in some ways, and yet so weak in others? It really baffles my mind.
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