Postwar Gender Roles In Lord Of The Flies

Violence in the Lord of the Flies is not distinctly masculine because, the gender of the person has no effect, it’s their story, and how they were brought up. It’s also not distinctly masculine because if gender constructs and roles were taken into consideration, the girls—stereotypically—would have more fight and more determination.

Gender is just a label for our sex. What that is does not determine who we are and our capability for violence. Now in the 1950’s gender constructs were heavy and demanding. For example, an article titled, “Postwar Gender Roles and Women in American Politics.” Says, “…often came at a cost to women who gave up careers to maintain the domestic sphere. This lifestyle stressed the importance of a one-income household,

This meant that women were applicable to fill these jobs. According to Khan Academy, “Five million women entered the work force between 1940-1945. The gap in the labor force created by departing soldiers meant opportunities for women.” Even though most of these men wouldn’t let these women have jobs, the men relied on them. This shows that these women took care of the children, had a job, fed their families, and much more while the men were away. Since these adult women persevered and took care of themselves, possibly their young girls could follow suit. Some would say that the girls would be more violent because of their mothers or fathers, but this anger—if they had any—would be used to survive. These authority figures can build on the children’s view of life. In the Lord of the Flies, the little-uns look at Ralph like a mirror of the old life. For example, a quote from the book says, “they obeyed the summon of the conch, partly because Ralph blew it, and he was a big enough link with the adult world of authority” (Golding 59). This means that this “adult figure” they are clinging to is Ralph and what is in Ralph’s personality. If Ralph’s personality is observed, it’s seen that he is benevolent but strict in his rules. Kind of like a mother is. The kids miss their mothers and Ralph is what they cling