In Dorothy Allison's novel on the growing up a of an illegitimate child in South Carolina
and her being abused by her step-father, men are not really the main and acting figures.
They are rather minor characters, even Daddy Glen who causes so much pain. The actual
"sovereigns" are the women. But the depiction of men in this novel does not only tell
about the nature of men in this family but a lot on the values of society and the critique
the author expresses and shall thus be the focus of this work.
First there are Anney's brothers, Bone's uncles. They are all very much alike in their
behavior and attitudes, but Earle is clearly the one who is closest to Anney and Bone and
so he is the most often mentioned one of the "Boatwright brothers". And this points to
the first phenomenon of male characters in this novel: even if the brothers are partially
married (like Nevil), they are always referred to as the "Boatwright brothers"; they seem
to be an inseparable unit. What is being said about one of them always refers to the
others as well: "Your uncle Beau is a drunk. You know that, but so is your uncle Nevil,
and so am I, I suppose", Earle tells Bone1. But mostly the brothers are being talked about
as "they" anyway. Of course this also indicates the importance of family bondage in the
Boatwright family, but if one looks at the way Bone's aunts are mentioned and spoken
about in the novel, the unity of the brothers is exceptional. Bone as the I-narrator does
talk about her aunts in a collective plural some times, but mostly the aunts are being
referred to as single persons and are also clearly different from each other in their
character and conditions of living. This phenomenon of the brothers only being referred
to as a group has other reasons too, but this would lead us very deep into the novel and
shall be postponed to a later part of the interpretation. [...]
1Dorothy Allison: Bastard Out Of Carolina. Flamingo, London 1993, p. 125. All of the following quotations will
refer to this edition
Table of Contents
- Two different types of men: Bone's uncles and Daddy Glen in Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out Of Carolina"
- Bone's Uncles: The Boatwright Brothers
- Daddy Glen: A Contrast to the Boatwright Men
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay analyzes the portrayal of men in Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out Of Carolina," focusing on the contrasting figures of Bone's uncles and her stepfather, Daddy Glen. It examines how these portrayals reflect societal values and the author's critique of them.
- Gender roles and expectations within a dysfunctional family
- The impact of societal norms on individual behavior
- The complexities of family relationships and dynamics
- Alcoholism and its consequences
- The author's critique of patriarchal structures
Chapter Summaries
Two different types of men: Bone's uncles and Daddy Glen in Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out Of Carolina": This essay explores the contrasting portrayals of men in Dorothy Allison's novel. It focuses on Bone's uncles, the Boatwright brothers, who are characterized by their alcoholism, violence, and lack of responsibility, yet are also depicted with a surprising tenderness and loyalty towards the women in their lives. Their behavior is juxtaposed with that of Daddy Glen, Bone's abusive stepfather, highlighting the different ways masculinity is represented and the consequences of such representations for the women in the family. The essay ultimately argues that these portrayals serve to expose the societal norms and gender dynamics that shape the lives of the characters.
Bone's Uncles: The Boatwright Brothers: This section delves into the characterization of Bone's uncles, emphasizing their collective identity as the "Boatwright brothers." Despite individual differences, they are consistently portrayed as a unit, highlighting the strong family bonds within their dysfunctional family. Their alcoholism and violent tendencies are presented with a degree of irony and understanding, suggesting that these behaviors are not simply evil but are rather a product of their upbringing and societal context. The section also analyzes how their lack of responsibility is contrasted with the strength and resilience of the women in the family. The women take on the bulk of the household responsibilities, and often appear to be more "grown-up" than the men. The analysis reveals the complex dynamics within the family where despite their flaws, the brothers ultimately exhibit love and care for their female relatives.
Daddy Glen: A Contrast to the Boatwright Men: This section contrasts the portrayal of Bone's uncles with that of Daddy Glen, her abusive stepfather. While the Boatwright brothers represent a specific type of flawed masculinity, Daddy Glen embodies a far more destructive and damaging form of patriarchal power. The contrast serves to highlight the range of masculine behaviors represented in the novel and their devastating impact on the female characters. This comparison reveals the societal implications of these contrasting forms of masculinity and the systemic issues they represent.
Keywords
Gender roles, dysfunctional family, alcoholism, violence, masculinity, patriarchy, societal norms, family dynamics, Southern Gothic, child abuse, female resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analyzing Men in Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out Of Carolina"
What is the main focus of this analysis?
This analysis focuses on the portrayal of men in Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out Of Carolina," specifically contrasting the characters of Bone's uncles (the Boatwright brothers) and her stepfather, Daddy Glen. It examines how these contrasting portrayals reflect societal values and the author's critique of them.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include gender roles and expectations within a dysfunctional family; the impact of societal norms on individual behavior; the complexities of family relationships and dynamics; alcoholism and its consequences; and the author's critique of patriarchal structures.
How are Bone's uncles characterized?
Bone's uncles, the Boatwright brothers, are characterized by their alcoholism, violence, and lack of responsibility. However, they are also depicted with surprising tenderness and loyalty towards the women in their lives. Their behavior is presented with a degree of irony and understanding, suggesting these behaviors are products of their upbringing and societal context. Despite their flaws, they ultimately show love and care for their female relatives.
How does Daddy Glen contrast with Bone's uncles?
Daddy Glen, Bone's abusive stepfather, represents a far more destructive and damaging form of patriarchal power than the Boatwright brothers. While the uncles exhibit flawed masculinity, Daddy Glen embodies a more overtly abusive and harmful form. The contrast highlights the range of masculine behaviors and their devastating impact on the female characters.
What is the significance of the contrasting portrayals of men?
The contrasting portrayals of Bone's uncles and Daddy Glen serve to expose the societal norms and gender dynamics that shape the lives of the characters in the novel. The analysis reveals the complexities of masculinity and its impact within a dysfunctional family structure, highlighting the systemic issues at play.
What are the chapter summaries included in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of three sections: "Two different types of men: Bone's uncles and Daddy Glen in Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out Of Carolina"", "Bone's Uncles: The Boatwright Brothers", and "Daddy Glen: A Contrast to the Boatwright Men". Each summary provides a detailed overview of the key points discussed in the corresponding section of the full analysis.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include gender roles, dysfunctional family, alcoholism, violence, masculinity, patriarchy, societal norms, family dynamics, Southern Gothic, child abuse, and female resilience.
What is the overall objective of this analysis?
The overall objective is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the portrayal of men in Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out Of Carolina," focusing on the contrasting figures of Bone's uncles and stepfather. It aims to explore how these portrayals reflect societal values and the author's critique of them, revealing the complexities of family dynamics and gender roles within a dysfunctional Southern family setting.
- Quote paper
- Luise A. Finke (Author), 1996, Two different types of men: Bone's uncles and Daddy Glen in Dorothy Allison's "Bastard Out Of Carolina", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/21439
