What, in Emily's opinion, makes Florence "a guy?" What other behaviors do characters exhibit that may not fit with what you would typically believe about their genders?

Florence's story as a leader of the feminist movement naturally raises many questions and ideas about gender roles and identity, among other issues related to sex. What, in Emily's opinion, makes Florence "a guy?" (p. 136) What other behaviors do characters exhibit that may not fit with what you would typically believe about their genders? In light of this, what do you think of the author being male and writing from the perspective of three female characters?

I laughed when I read Emily's assessment of Florence because I was saying the same thing in my head. Florence doesn't fit the stereotype of grandmotherly conduct or behavior. She is not warm and fuzzy and she doesn't spare others feelings. Florence tells it like it is, as she sees it. Florence can be domineering, bossy pushy and rude. These descriptive words are stereotypical observations generally associated with male behaviors, so I think Emily's assessment was accurate.

Florence is bold in the way she handles conversations and actions. She never second guessed herself. If something needed to be done or said she did it. I have read numerous books by male authors with female characters and most of them do it very well. I suspect they had strong mothers or grandmothers in their lives!

Florence is the successful one in her marriage while her ex husband is drifting through his career with little success. She also speaks her mind and is not dependent on others.

That is kind of funny. Florence was surely not a sweet complacent granny. I think she was direct, forthright and not always so pleasant. Maybe more male traits but there are plenty of assertive women in the world.

Florence was a strong woman who approached things as a "typical guy" would - putting facts before feelings.

I think she appreciated the straight forwardness of her grandmother and was also, perhaps, looking for this in a man. Justin was certainly not a winner, Saul was a failure in everyone's eyes, and both her father and her brother were laid back in comparison with her grandmother.

I've known plenty of grandmas who are assertive and pushy, but most of them mellow out where their grandchildren are concerned. Florence didn't act very grandmotherly, at least in the beginning. She also worked and spoke out in a time when most women didn't do that.

Emily noticed that Florence always needed to lead whatever conversation she was having. Also, she was brutally honest and never stopped to consider how someone might feel.

Florence had the personality traits most often ascribed to men - not being a nurturer, not someone who put her needs last, not being a needy person, not backing down from a fight, being assertive, being independent, never showing weakness, etc.