Bend it like Beckham
The book “Bend it like Beckham” is a story about an Indian girl named Jess and her fight with the Indian culture, to achieve her dream of becoming a professional football player. How is Jess’ relationship to her family, and what role does football and culture play in the story?
Firstly, Jesminder (short Jess) is the main character in the story. She is a big fan of football and dreams to become a professional football player like her hero David Beckham. However, her family is very against her playing football. She tries to be a good girl for her mother and father, but throughout the book she sneaks away to play football, even though she is not allowed. Her parents would much rather have her learning what it means to be a good Indian woman and marry a fine, upstanding Indian man, than playing football. Her family think that football is having a bad influence - Page 34 ll. 22-23: “I was married at your age. You don’t even want to learn how to cook daal” says her
…show more content…
She learns to stand up for herself, and feel confident. She also gains more self-esteem. An example this is at pp. 29-31. At first Jess didn’t want to show her scar, and wouldn’t go onto the field in her shorts because everyone would see it. Joe talks to Jess and he gets her to realize that there’s not anything to worry about. This makes Jess feel more comfortable with herself, and when she is on the field, no one will care.
In addition, football plays a central role in the story. It is what the entire book is based around, and is where. It is used as Jess’ way out of the Indian culture. The title “Bend it like Beckham” could be referring to where you see your goal, and know where you want to go, but you have to bend the rules to get there. That is what Jess did, and without football, she wouldn’t have gotten the courage to stand up for what is wanted, and not what was expected of