Analysis of Where the Crawdads Sing
Hunter Austin
Department of Social Sciences, UVA Wise
SOC 1100: Introduction to Sociology
Dr. Christa Moore
March 25, 2023
The movie, Where the Crawdads Sing follows the life of Kya Clark, a girl who is deserted by her family and left alone in the marshes of North Carolina. The movie shows the violence of the father that Kya, her mother, and her siblings had to endure. Slowly each family member leaves the marsh one by one. Eventually, Kya is isolated. As Kya navigates the challenges of living alone, she must also confront the prejudices and biases of those around her. The people from town only know her as "The marsh girl." She becomes romantically involved with two different men. As she
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The movie portrays the dark side of Kya's life, where she is subjected to domestic violence by two men in her life. The first is her father, who physically abuses her and her mother, and the second is her boyfriend, Chase, who is possessive and controlling toward Kya. Domestic violence is a deviant from the norm; however, in the movie, domestic violence is the norm to Kya. In addition, the film portrays how Kya's mother was subjected to domestic violence, which eventually led to her leaving the family. Kya's father is physically abusive towards her and her mother. His violent behavior is justified by his belief that controlling his wife and daughter is his right. This is evident when Kya's mother tells her that she must learn to endure her father's abuse, as it is her duty as a wife. This theme is significant, as it highlights the gendered nature of domestic violence and the impact it has on individuals and families. The movie also portrays how domestic violence can have long-lasting effects on individuals, as seen in Kya's character, who struggles to trust men and form relationships due to her mother's experiences. Another example is Kya's boyfriend, Chase. Chase is possessive and controlling towards her because he believes he has the right to possess her. He feels entitled to her love and affection and becomes angry when she tries to maintain her independence. This behavior is …show more content…
The movie illustrates how societal expectations of gender roles shape our understanding of deviance and the criminalization of women. Additionally, the film portrays the dark side of Kya's life, where she is subjected to domestic violence, highlighting the gendered qualities of domestic violence and the impact it has on individuals and families. Furthermore, the movie shows how poverty and societal inequalities can contribute to deviant behavior. These sociological themes provide a helpful framework for understanding the complicated relationships between society, individuals, and deviant behavior. Finally, the movie shows the impact of social norms, gender roles, and economic factors on individuals and their