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Brother Dear By Bernice Friesen Summary

1462 Words6 Pages

The Theme of Limiting Expectations The quote, “Expectation is the root of all heartache” written by Shakespeare epitomize the stories of “Brother Dear” and “Boys and Girls”. The expectations set by others transform the characters views on their daily lives and future choices; however, they develop through their given limitations by maturing, and making realizations on their own. Yet, the new found freedom of choice creates conflict within families and society. The short stories of “Brother Dear” written by Bernice Friesen and “Boys and Girls” written by Alice Munro, both showcase the theme of limiting expectations set by others through characterization, the stage of adolescence, and conflict. Arguably, the best short stories include the …show more content…

This affects Greg emotionally after the fight, as his father does not accept him; thus causing Greg to believe he has failed his father since he follows his dreams and not anybody else's. Greg’s sister, Sharlene, also struggles throughout her discovery of what she wants in life. Sharlene develops an understanding through her brother’s exploration of his life. While talking to Greg she reaches her peak of maturity surrounding the struggle he is going through, “‘You understand what I’m saying?’... ‘Yeah. I think I do.’ He smiles. ‘For the first time in your life’” (Friesen 32). On the contrary, in “Boys and Girls”, characterization is shown through the disputed sexism throughout the story. The female narrator, feels that her female role models such as her mother and grandmother help create who she becomes. In the beginning of the story, the narrator believes she is free to become who she wants. As the story advances, her female role models, quickly ignore what she wants –for example working with the foxes– and set expectations for her to ‘act like a lady’, thus forcing the narrator to become a new highly feminized version of herself. Since the story is written in the 1950s, the mistreatment of women is permitted. The narrator’s society is extremely sexist. When

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There’s a very clear distinction between roles for women and roles for men. From the first two stanzas the narrator has “invented a game” which gets her father to “look up from his reading” and notice her (3,4). Prior to her dressing like a boy, he had not paid any attention to her and she feels that in order to get his attention she has to pretend to be a boy. The last stanza is where there is the clear message of the different roles for men and women. The woman narrating describes how by shedding her outfit she “returns invisible” as herself (27).

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