Examples Of Sexism In Crow Lake

Examining the theme of power struggle in Crow Lake there are many prominent struggles for power, but there is one family that has gone through generations of power struggles that sticks out the most, the Pye family. While there is the blantlent sexism present and the anticipated separation of the Morrison children, the Pye family sticks out the most. Throughout the novel the Pye family had been mentioned several times, chapters designated to them, while there has not been chapters dedicated to the sexism in Crow Lake and the anticipated separation of the Morrison children, because the separation was temporary and the sexism is not an important theme and as long as there are Pye men there will be a struggle for power and the abuse of said power.

You’re supposed to be smart, so they tell me. How come all the Pye men took such a dislike to their own kids? how could that happen, three generations running? is it somethin’ in their blood or is it just ‘cause that's the only way they knew how to behave? ‘Cause it doesn't seem natural, to me. Doesn't make any sense”120 this was the first time Kate heard about the Pye family and their true colours. Jackson Pye, the first Pye to settle in Crow lake was the beginning of the end, perhaps he was abusive because he too was running from an abusive family. He was the first Pye in Crow Lake and he had 7 children in total, the 2 girls died from illnesses while 4 of his sons left leaving Jackson’s son, Arthur. Arthur continued with the farm and had 6 children, the 3 girls married very young to escape the abuse of their father while 2 of the boys left, which left Calvin Pye. Calvin Pye had 3 girls and 1 boy, the boy was the outlet for Calvin Pye’s pent up wrath; his name was Laurie Pye. Calvin Pye physically and mentally abused Laurie throughout Laurie’s life, “All I was aware of was that he never met your eyes, and that when he did, there was something in his own eyes that obliges you to look away.”(120) someone not meeting your eyes while you converse is a sign of abuse and anxiety which Laurie Pye most likely had as he had to deal with his

Alice. She was a nice woman. Started off full of life, like they all did. Bakin’ for the church functions, joinin’ the sewing bee. Think she even played the organ in church for a while that's right. She did. But then Calvin said the practisin’ took up too much time so she had to give it up”119 Calvin started his relationship with his wife as a normal one, letting her help out with the community and have her own life, but slowly he started keeping her home more, he would even later on keep his children at home, ignoring his legal obligation to send his children to school, “Laurie hadn’t been to school since the fight with Alex Kirby in October”202 Laurie wasn’t the only child he kept home from school, he also kept Rosie and Marie “Rosie Pye was back at school by then. After Laurie’s disappearance she hadn’t turned up at all for several weeks-in fact the whole Pye family had disappeared from public view.”220 “Marie was out on the ractor all day, doing her brother’s job, and if she seemed more withdrawn than she used to be, well, it wasn’t to be wondered at.”220 Calvin Pye continued the abusive cycle with his wife, son, and daughters, not by solely isolating them but by physically abusing them, the signs of abuse are