Being female constitutes a kind of paradox. On the one hand, women constitute one group, one category because of their sex. On the other hand, the belonging to this group does not always
mean that women have anything more in common than their sex. Genny Lim’s poem “Wonder Woman” shows how the category of being female is divided in itself by other master statuses that
not all women share, and it reveals that one’s sex is not an issue which make humans necessarily stick together. On the basis of Rosenblum’s and Travis’ work The Meaning of Difference:
American Constructions of Race, Sex and Gender, Social Class and Sexual Orientation, this paper will focus on the way in which Genny Lim’s poem illustrates the construction of the
“category of women”, and how concepts such as “Dichotomization”, “Othering”, “Aggregation”and “Double Consciousness” come into play when the poem’s lyrical speaker ponders about and
also criticizes the differences and similarities that she finds in women.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- The Paradox of Being Female – Is there a Feeling of Belonging Together?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte
This paper analyzes Genny Lim's poem "Wonder Woman" to explore the complexities of the "category of women" and how it is constructed through various master statuses. The paper aims to demonstrate how concepts like "Dichotomization," "Othering," "Aggregation," and "Double Consciousness" come into play as the poem's speaker reflects on the differences and similarities she observes among women.
- The construction of the "category of women" through master statuses like sex, gender, sexual orientation, social class, race, and cultural background.
- The concept of "Dichotomization" and how it divides women into distinct groups based on their social class, sexual orientation, gender, and race/cultural background.
- The role of "Othering" in creating boundaries between women, as the speaker observes and reflects on women from different backgrounds and experiences.
- The speaker's struggle with "Aggregation," questioning why women cannot come together as a unified group despite sharing the same sex.
- The concept of "Double Consciousness" as the speaker ultimately recognizes her own place within the diverse group of women she has been observing.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel
The poem "Wonder Woman" explores the complexities of female identity through the lens of the speaker's observations of women from various backgrounds and experiences. The speaker, a woman herself, seeks to find common ground with other women, but ultimately discovers more differences than similarities. The poem highlights the ways in which social class, sexual orientation, gender, and race/cultural background create divisions among women, even though they share the same sex. The speaker observes "silver-haired matrons" alongside "painted prostitutes," highlighting the stark contrasts in social class and the resulting privileges and stigmas. The poem also explores the concept of "Othering," as the speaker observes women from different cultures and backgrounds, often viewing them as "they" rather than "we." This creates a sense of isolation and reinforces the boundaries between women. The speaker questions why women cannot come together as a unified group, highlighting the ways in which women themselves contribute to the divisions that exist. The poem concludes with the speaker experiencing a moment of "Double Consciousness," recognizing her own place within the diverse group of women she has been observing. However, the poem leaves the reader with a sense of ambiguity, suggesting that the boundaries between women remain, and the possibility of true connection remains elusive.
Schlüsselwörter
The keywords and focus themes of the text include the "category of women," master statuses, "Dichotomization," "Othering," "Aggregation," and "Double Consciousness." The poem explores the construction of female identity through these concepts, highlighting the complexities of belonging and the challenges of finding common ground among women from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Quote paper
- Christina Gieseler (Author), 2007, The Paradox of Being Female – Is there a Feeling of Belonging Together?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/148726
