This paper will focus on the fragments of male fantasies and the challenge they present to the reader under the assumption that the babysitter is only an idea and not a person. The babysitter builds the centre of the story and stands in the spotlight of all events, possible realities and fantasies. Throughout the whole story, the babysitter is not once mentioned by name, which makes her more into a sexualised object than a real person. This notion is intensified by the broken-up form of the story and the uncertainty about which events “really” happen to the characters and which are only imagined.
In the second chapter, the babysitter will be analysed as sexual fantasy and the object of male desire from the perspectives of the male characters Mr. Tucker, Jack, Mark and Jimmy Tucker. The following chapter will give a general view on stereotypical perceptions of babysitters and how they are represented in the short story as well the influence the story’s form and style have on the reader. Lastly, the fourth chapter will offer a conclusion and have a look at prominent social issues.
Table of Contents
- Introduction: "The Babysitter" with Particularities
- Sexualisation of an Archetype- The Babysitter as Object of Male Fantasies
- Harry Tucker - Obsessive Sex
- Jack and Mark - Aggressive Sex
- Jack - The Boyfriend
- Mark - A Friend
- Jimmy Tucker - Repressed Sex
- Different "Realities" or Fantasies - A Challenge for the Reader
- The Babysitter as Cultural Construct – Virgin or Vixen
- Imagination and “Reality” influenced by the Story's Style
- Conclusion: From fantasies to social issues
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes Robert Coover's short story "The Babysitter," focusing on how the babysitter is presented as a sexualized object within the male characters' fantasies. The analysis explores the various perspectives and interpretations of the events, highlighting the story's fragmented structure and its impact on the reader's understanding. The paper aims to examine the interplay between reality and fantasy, and the ethical implications of the male characters' desires and actions.
- The sexualization of the babysitter as an archetype.
- The diverse representations of male desire and fantasy in the story.
- The role of the story's fragmented structure in shaping the reader's interpretation.
- The interplay between reality and fantasy within the narrative.
- The ethical implications of the depicted fantasies.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: "The Babysitter" with Particularities: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Robert Coover's "The Babysitter," highlighting its fragmented structure and the multiplicity of "realities" presented. It establishes the story's context within postmodern metafiction, emphasizing the story's self-conscious nature and its challenge to traditional narrative structures. The chapter introduces the central theme of the babysitter as a focal point for various male fantasies, a figure whose anonymity contributes to her objectification. The introduction lays out the paper's focus on exploring these male fantasies and their implications.
Sexualisation of an Archetype- The Babysitter as Object of Male Fantasies: This chapter delves into the various ways the babysitter is presented as a sexual object within the male characters' fantasies. It emphasizes the story's exploration of a range of possibilities, from relatively innocuous encounters to scenarios involving rape and violence. The chapter highlights the moral and ethical ambiguity inherent in these fantasies and the responsibility placed upon the reader to engage critically with the presented material, rather than passively accepting a singular interpretation. The lack of a linear narrative structure further complicates this process, forcing a more active reading experience.
Different "Realities" or Fantasies - A Challenge for the Reader: This chapter analyzes how the fragmented narrative and stylistic choices in "The Babysitter" influence the reader's understanding of reality and fantasy. It explores the concept of the babysitter as a cultural construct, examining the various stereotypes and expectations associated with the role. The chapter then investigates how the story's non-linear structure affects the reader's ability to distinguish between imagined and actual events, forcing a critical evaluation of the presented perspectives. The analysis emphasizes the reader's active role in constructing meaning from the disparate narrative fragments.
Keywords
Robert Coover, The Babysitter, metafiction, postmodernism, male fantasy, sexual objectification, archetype, fragmented narrative, reality vs. fantasy, ethical implications, reader response.
Frequently Asked Questions: Robert Coover's "The Babysitter" Analysis
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes Robert Coover's short story "The Babysitter," focusing on the portrayal of the babysitter as a sexualized object within the male characters' fantasies. It explores the diverse perspectives and interpretations of the events, the fragmented narrative structure, and the interplay between reality and fantasy.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of "The Babysitter"?
Key themes include the sexualization of the babysitter archetype, the diverse representations of male desire and fantasy, the role of the fragmented narrative structure in shaping reader interpretation, the interplay between reality and fantasy, and the ethical implications of the depicted fantasies.
How is the babysitter presented in the story?
The babysitter is presented as a focal point for various male fantasies, a figure whose anonymity contributes to her objectification. The story explores a range of possibilities, from relatively innocuous encounters to scenarios involving rape and violence, highlighting the moral and ethical ambiguity.
What is the significance of the story's fragmented structure?
The fragmented structure challenges traditional narrative conventions and actively engages the reader in constructing meaning. It complicates the distinction between reality and fantasy, forcing a critical evaluation of the presented perspectives and preventing passive acceptance of a singular interpretation.
How does the story's style influence the reader's understanding?
The non-linear structure and stylistic choices influence the reader's understanding of reality and fantasy. It presents multiple "realities" or fantasies, forcing the reader to actively engage with the text and construct their own interpretation. The babysitter is also presented as a cultural construct, embodying various stereotypes and expectations.
What are the ethical implications discussed in the paper?
The paper examines the ethical implications of the male characters' desires and actions, prompting critical reflection on the moral ambiguity inherent in the presented fantasies and the responsibility of the reader to engage critically with the material.
What are the main chapters covered in the analysis?
The analysis includes an introduction establishing the context and themes; a chapter detailing the sexualization of the babysitter archetype within male fantasies; a chapter exploring the fragmented narrative and its impact on the reader's interpretation of reality and fantasy; and a conclusion summarizing the findings and their implications.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Robert Coover, The Babysitter, metafiction, postmodernism, male fantasy, sexual objectification, archetype, fragmented narrative, reality vs. fantasy, ethical implications, reader response.
- Quote paper
- Jana Karoff (Author), 2014, The Babysitter as the Sexualised Object of Male Fantasies in Robert Coover's "The Babysitter", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/310867
