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When I Was The Greatest: Gender Theory

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Recommended: Gender In literature

Gender theory Applied to The Last Flight and When I Was the Greatest
Gender can have a huge impact on how the reader interprets and understands what they are reading. How genders are portrayed and stereotypes can make all the difference in literature. By applying Gender Theory to novels and texts, readers can better understand the importance of gender. The definition of Gender Theory is: “The portrayal of a particular gender in a literary piece and the effects of that portrayal” (Davidson). Gender Theory can be applied to the novels The Last Fight By Julie Clark and When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds to interpret and analyze the meaning of the novels to a deeper level. When Gender Theory is applied, several points can be supported, …show more content…

In the article “Gender stereotypes”: “Traditionally feminine traits include nurturing actions [...] and feminine manners, while male traits are regarded as strength, aggression, and an outgoing nature”. This links males and females with different types of emotions and composers based on those emotions. When Noodles and Ali get busted for going to the party by John, he tells them: “I ain't got enough mad for both of y'all, so since you my responsibility, I'm gonna save all the mad for you” (Reynolds 102). This shows that John is using his aggression to be a father figure and set an example for the boys. John cares for the boys and he portrays that through his aggression and strength as a role model to them. When Doris is talking to her Jazz and telling her that she has plenty of good qualities, Doris tells Jazz: “You love first, and that’s always a good thing” (Reynolds 48). Jazz is supporting the female stereotype because she is said that she will love first. It shows that she is more willing to show kindness and love compared to others. This outward compassion for the female stereotype separates it from the outward aggression of the male …show more content…

Many plot elements occur because of Noodles, who is very hot-headed and doesn’t have the best judgment. According to “Effects of Parental Absence on Male Adolesants” by Lee A. Beaty: “Deficits which can be linked to early father deprivation might be [...] susceptible to subsequent interventions. The connection between these dysfunctions and problems such as [...] socially maladaptive behaviors is rather easy to conceptualize”. This shows that the lack of a father figure has an effect on young males and Noodles is a great example of this. When Noodles tried to start a fight for a free haircut, Ali states: “I already knew what he was doing. He was pulling the same crab he always pulls. I stood up to make sure he didn’t do nothing crazy” (Reynolds 84). This shows that Noodles’ hot-headedness tends to get him into trouble and Ali is used to it. Noodles most likely acts this way because his father left and the effect it had on him. Noodles’ short-fuse is one of the main reasons why the characters get into many different predicaments. That is why it is a sensible choice for him to be an adolescent male due to what the research describes. Genders of characters are chosen for specific reasons and it can be backed with logical reasoning and

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The musical Gypsy (1962) plays with many ideas concerning gender, individualism, and sex roles. These themes contribute to the question of whether or not Gypsy is sexist. For the purpose of this essay, sexism will be defined as any action that consciously contributes to a gender stereotyping society. In her essay, Marilyn Frye notes this definition of sexism stating that “making decisions on the basis of sex reinforces the patterns that make it relevant” (846). Therefore, any decision that contributes to the gender binary and its framework can be considered sexist.

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Synthesis #1 Our concepts of gender are constructed by our biological characteristics and societal factors. In many societies, these concepts of gender, and the differences in men and women are rooted in tradition. The moment a child is born a kind of social construction begins. A child whether girl or boy will most likely be shown some behaviors on how they should behave according to their biological characteristics. Throughout history, we have seen the same stereotypes placed on gender, men should be strong and brave.

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Gender roles are present everywhere and are more and more prevalent the further back you go. They define relationships and heavily influence people's actions. Gender roles can hurt those that are trapped in them because they are not allowed the freedom of living like they want. In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, one key relationship in the story is wrecked by gender roles.

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How do the gender roles present in society impact a person? There are many negative ways gender roles influence a person 's mental and emotional state. In The Bell Jar, Silvia Plath presents Esther Greenwood who struggles to find her place in society due to gender roles. And Doreen who doesn’t follow them and is okay with it. Throughout the book, specifically chapters seven to nine, Plath makes it clear that gender roles negatively impact a person 's mental state through the use of many stylistic and persuasive elements.

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This favourable representation is a test of gender rules because it challenges the idea that is usually given about

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The theme that is present in both of the readings is the oppression of gender. “Why Nice Guys Finish Last” demonstrates how stereotypes of both men and women are the key factor in gender oppression. This reading also emphasizes how stereotypes of women are typically more prevalent, and therefore, more harmful in today’s society. “Dismantling Hierarchy, Queering Society” explains how male dominance through the patriarchy fuels the gendered oppression of women. It further explains specifically how heteropatriarchy brings forth white supremacy, capitalism, and colonialism too.

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With most literature researches; assumptions are being made that both genders perspectives are the same even though most geographical knowledge is based more towards the male

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2.2 Theoretical Framework 2.2.1 Gender Stereotypes: Masculinity and Femininity Brannon (2004), defines gender stereotype as beliefs about the psychological traits and characteristics of, as well as the activities appropriate to, men or women. Gender roles are interpreted by behaviours, but gender stereotypes are about the beliefs, views and attitudes towards masculinity and femininity. Therefore, gender stereotypes are very influential; they impact conceptualizations of women and men and establish social categories for each gender. These categories represent what people think, and even when beliefs vary from reality, the beliefs can be very powerful forces in judgments of self and others.

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4.3 Theory of difference The difference theory assumes that well prevails a fundamental difference between the sexes being husband and wife. The focus of difference theory therefore is not the abolition of these differences, but rather whose recognition (Heintz, B., 1993, p 21). Wesely (2000) is highlighting that the basis of the difference theory assumes that gender is not only occupied biologically, but also a strong social category belongs (Wesely, 2000, p.21).

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