In the short story, called “Boys and Girls” by Alice Munro, the story tells about a young girl that goes through the changes and transformations of womanhood and domesticity. The story plunges into a society that is infested with idealistic views on gender roles and stereotypes. While the story takes place in the 1940’s, in a fox farm outside of Ontario, the story demonstrates the time when women were viewed as second-class citizens. Through Munro’s protagonist, an unnamed character, Munro symbolizes the narrator’s lack of identity, compared to her younger brother, who was named synonymous to “Lord”; which further helps illustrate how at birth, a male child is naturally considered to be superior.
The story helps illustrate the unbridgeable gap that separates men and women in society - which is shown through the female and the farm. As the protagonist is a woman, she is expected to behave in a frivolous, subdued and feminine manner; someone who is devoted to domestic chores, and be against “male” activities such as farming, shooting, and heroism. Initially, the girl rebels and notes that her father’s work is
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Munro intends the girl’s reaction to being one of guilt and horror at Flora’s death, while Laird’s to be masculine. However, towards the end of the story, Munro suggests that expectations regarding both genders are hurtful and damaging; making it clear that “Boys and Girls”, written by Alice Munro, demonstrates the formation of gender roles, as it focuses on a girl being forced into a female mold. Though the story illustrates how a role is pushed on men as well, throughout the story, the protagonist clearly shows clear adoration for her father, and envy for her brother, she quickly understands the role her brother needs to play; and is terrified. The boy in return, is bound for different expectations, a different