Tea in the Wendy House - 3 views

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  #1 Murdock Grewar on 08 Feb 12

   

  Ok, let's give this diigo thing a try. Not sure how much help this will be, but here's something to consider when reading Tea in the Wendy House:
  
  The idea behind 'social construction of gender' is that gender identities are constructed and enforced by society. Individuals are expected to slot into, or conform, to the established identities of gender; the ideals/norms of the time.
  
  It may be argued that 'Tea in the Wendy House' critiques the construction of gender identities, especially female identity, by the society of its context.
  Lynn sought aspirations atypical of her gender as a child (I can't remember, some jobs she dreamed of having), yet upon reflection in her adult life she finds herself 'trapped' in the gender role ascribed to her by society.
  
  She is married young, already has a child, and her husband fits the traditional male identity of the time; you could say that all this happens very quickly to her, before she even knows it. Without realizing she is shoved swiftly into a role deemed suitable by society.
  
  This 'entrapment' is portrayed vividly and quite literally in the final flashback to Lynn's childhood at the end of the story-- Lynn is locked in The Wendy House with her doll-- the place, both literal and symbolic, where the original indoctrination of socially constructed gender roles takes place. During childhood. As a child she knew (and was taught) nothing else than to play with her dolls in the Wendy House, and it is clear from earlier flashbacks that at the time, she was already becoming a mother.
  
  It is in the Wendy House, which may represent childhood, that the indoctrination of traditional values, including gender roles, takes place. As an adult, Lynn realizes that she was always brought up to fit the social construct of her gender (this could be extended further by purporting that free will was but an illusion to her at a young age). As mentioned before, she originally had plans/dreams that were not typical of a female. Ultimately, she finds upon reflection that her identity is not her own.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Ok, let's give this diigo thing a try. Not sure how much help this will be, but here's something to consider when reading Tea in the Wendy House: <br /> <br /> The idea behind 'social construction of gender' is that gender identities are constructed and enforced by society. Individuals are expected to slot into, or conform, to the established identities of gender; the ideals/norms of the time. <br /> <br /> It may be argued that 'Tea in the Wendy House' critiques the construction of gender identities, especially female identity, by the society of its context. <br /> Lynn sought aspirations atypical of her gender as a child (I can't remember, some jobs she dreamed of having), yet upon reflection in her adult life she finds herself 'trapped' in the gender role ascribed to her by society. <br /> <br /> She is married young, already has a child, and her husband fits the traditional male identity of the time; you could say that all this happens very quickly to her, before she even knows it. Without realizing she is shoved swiftly into a role deemed suitable by society. <br /> <br /> This 'entrapment' is portrayed vividly and quite literally in the final flashback to Lynn's childhood at the end of the story-- Lynn is locked in The Wendy House with her doll-- the place, both literal and symbolic, where the original indoctrination of socially constructed gender roles takes place. During childhood. As a child she knew (and was taught) nothing else than to play with her dolls in the Wendy House, and it is clear from earlier flashbacks that at the time, she was already becoming a mother. <br /> <br /> It is in the Wendy House, which may represent childhood, that the indoctrination of traditional values, including gender roles, takes place. As an adult, Lynn realizes that she was always brought up to fit the social construct of her gender (this could be extended further by purporting that free will was but an illusion to her at a young age). As mentioned before, she originally had plans/dreams that were not typical of a female. Ultimately, she finds upon reflection that her identity is not her own.</div>

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