Elizabeth Vlasyuk
21 March 2017
Category A Prompt A
In chapter four, there is the scene when the Lumberjanes are in the boys camp and the camp counselor shows up questioning "What in the bejabbers is going on here? I thought I heard a tea kettle. Pathetic." This occurs after the boys help the Lumberjanes out of the poison ivy and prepare tea and cookies fro them while they recover. In this scene, we find out that the boys like baking, making tea and keeping things clean. We also see a stark contrast to the Lumberjanes. Before being introduced to the boys, I didn't notice the girls as having characteristics that are usually associated with boys, as I, myself, love being adventurous, brave, clever; however, once being introduced to the boys, I saw this contrast between the two, that show the typical gender stereotypes having been swapped. I find this as a statement on fighting gender stereotypes that is meant to empower adolescents to be who they are and not conform to typical social norms.
Hello Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteWhile the boys certainly seem to flip the switch on normative gender roles with their love for baking and orderliness, would you say that the Lumberjanes are also similarly flipped? While they are adventurous definitely, we also see some girls (April) concerned with fashion, make-up, and more conventionally feminine traits. How does this diversity in representation among the girl characters speak to this text's statement on gender roles? This post is a little brief and over-simplified. There is more to be said when you look at the diversity of roles within the Lumberjanes.
After seeing these stereotypes being swapped, I definitely agree with you that the girls did encompass these "boy" type traits. As for April, I feel that although she didn't have the typical adventurous style or traits, she definitely represented strength and belief in her strength. The fact that she is the most feminine of the bunch doesn't take away from the overall message of empowerment and encouragement for individualism amongst the girls and even the boys. Lumberjanes definitely speaks to the individual of acceptance and finding strength in personal uniqueness.
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