Word Girl example essay topic

Gender issues have been a popular topic in literature for centuries. Authors of both genders have used this theme to address the role of men and women in the culture and time period they represent. Much of Alice Munro's work addresses theses issues in several aspects such as work and work divided by gender. Her 1968 short story "Boys and Girls" demonstrates this theme using several different motifs and symbols.

The most predominant being the horses, Mack and Flora who embody the attributes the central character / narrator wish to have herself. The story is told through the eyes of a young girl living on a farm with her family somewhere in Canada probably around the time the country was first colonized. In those days the only role a women played in the world, except for a select few, was that of caretaker, cook and cleaning lady. The narrator is seemingly oblivious to these ideals and rejects the people who impose them on her. This is evident thorough the descriptions she gives of her mother. For example, on page 118 she gives her perspective on a discussion she overheard between her parents: She was plotting now to get me to stay in the house more, although she knew I hated it (because she knew I hated it) and keep me from working for my father.

At the time the narrator obviously wasn't aware that men and women had certain roles on society; which is why she feels that her mother is trying to punish her in some way by wanting her to work more in the house and less outdoors with her father. The distinction between doing a "man's work" with her father and doing what her gender is "supposed" to with her mother is unclear to her. However, later on she realizes that her biological make-up does come along with certain responsibilities. On page 119 we see the narrators revelation: The word girl had formerly seemed to me innocent and unburdened, like the word child; now it appeared that it was no such thing. A girl was not, as I had supposed, simply what I was; it was what I had to become. It was a definition touched by emphasis, with reproach and disappointment.

This excerpt is then followed by dialog of her grandmother scolding her about what girls should and shouldn't do. We then see a conscious effort to rebel against her fate as a female. Strangely enough, almost every paragraph that deals with the gender issues is followed by one concerning the horses, Mack and Flora. According to the narrator, Flora, the female is a wild, rambunctious creature while Mack is quite the opposite: slow and boring.

She obviously sees characteristics in Flora that she, herself would like to have. Alice Munro makes this even more obvious by telling the reader that each child (the narrator and her brother) have a bond with each horse, the narrator with the female and her brother with the male. The narrator even comments on how slow and clumsy her brother, traits that Mack has himself further proving her connection to Flora. The climax of the story takes place when the young girl lets Flora run through the gate to escape her fate as a horse; symbolizing her desire to escape her fate as a female.

Which ultimately relates to the theme of the story, that being gender roles and challenging the standards set upon women. Unfortunately in the end Flora does not escape her fate and neither does our protagonist. Her father finds out about her disobedience and says on page 127: "Never mind", my father said. He spoke with resignation, even good humor, the words which absolved and dismissed me for good. "She's only a girl", he said. I didn't protest that, even in my heart.

Maybe it was true. One could argue that she does not ultimately accept the restrictions her gender holds. Yet I feel that there is no evidence saying that she doesn't. The horses being the main motif and the female horse exemplifying her desires and not escaping what life had planned out, clearly says that the narrator took the same path.

While the story did challenge the way women are looked at in society, I think "Boys and Girls" was not meant to be an inspirational story for women but one that has us telling ourselves to not accept and reinforce pre-conceived notions about women and their role in society.