Lack Of Communication In Ernest Buckler's Penny In The Dust

In what matter does societal standards significantly impact how individuals perceive themselves, in comparison to how they are perceived by others? An answer can be found when rolling back into the 1900s. There was a major difference between male and female roles, adopting societal standards to follow when in a community and in a family, creating varieties of negative day-to-day outcomes for each genders in a society. Focusing mostly on males, it has been recorded that a person who is of male gender is known to have it better for themselves in their life. Unfortunately, as the coin is flipped, adult males, in regards to societal standards, are meant to be seen as cold-hearted, stern, and very hard-working, and are supposed to take part in providing

These are mostly as a result during their growth years as they were taught in an early age to be strong and tough. In Ernest Buckler's short story “Penny in the Dust” he expresses the comparison and the effects between how individuals perceive amongst themselves and how they are perceived by others through the lack of communication in a relationship, the effects of gender roles within a family, and the results from a general understanding of societal norms. The key aspect discussed is the fact that the lack of communication is one of many factors that affects how perception can be viewed from both perspectives. When examining the short story, it indirectly, yet clearly shows that Peter and his father are not ones that can easily communicate to each other. When they are, they never seem to be on the same page. The father takes notice of Peter glancing at the penny and offers the penny to Peter. ”You can have it if you want it, Pete,” implies that the father wanted to show his

These are known as gender roles that ultimately affect how an individual’s behavior and perception of themselves are altered to meet societal standards. Peter describes statements about his father that could be immediately assumed, but he corrects the audience that there are more to it than that. In the story, he tells that his father is more of an “inarticulate man a little at sea with an imaginative child.” This is an oversimplified way to demonstrate how the father feels about being with Peter. Men are expected to be stern and emotionless, which leads to an emotional disconnection between sons and fathers. It can be argued that the father was raised completely different from his son, as he portrays to be an incomprehensible and baffling individual. This is evident as seen in the father’s attempts to show his affection to Peter by giving a penny to him. Alas, they were unable to communicate clearly, leading to Peter misinterpreting the father’s actions. The father’s adherence to society’s gender roles lead Peter to perceive him to be cold-hearted and distant. In addition, gender roles can be evident in the father’s role in the family. Buckler would often repeat unnecessary scenes of the father working in the fields that don't contribute to the theme of the story. “His sure-footed way in the fields,” explains how the father is a master at his work and his undying loyalty to societal gender