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The Shadow King


An unforgettable epic shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize, and named a best ...
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What does the novel say about the effect rigid gender roles can have on people's behavior?

Created: 09/16/20

Replies: 3

Posted Sep. 16, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

What does the novel say about the effect rigid gender roles can have on people's behavior?

Hirut and Aster both reject certain roles placed upon them as women, while some of the men in the book, like Kidane, feel compelled to perform the expectations of their gender. What does the novel say about the effect rigid gender roles can have on people's behavior?


Posted Sep. 18, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janines

Join Date: 11/21/16

Posts: 102

RE: What does the novel say about the effect rigid gender roles can have on people's behavior?

Given the setting for the book, the 1930s, gender roles are clearly ones where women do this and men do that. Putting people into these stereotypical roles does not take into account that skills one ascribes to a man could also be skills a woman has and vice versa. Anytime you limit someone's ability to contribute society is diminished. As is demonstrated in this book, women have courage, strength and problem solving capabilities equal to men.


Posted Sep. 21, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
peggya

Join Date: 06/03/15

Posts: 42

RE: What does the novel say about the effect rigid gender roles can have on people's behavior?

Gender roles by definition put limits on the range of human experience and potential. Both female characters in this book were the antithesis of what would define traditional models of so called “feminine behaviors”.


Posted Sep. 23, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ylhoff

Join Date: 10/23/12

Posts: 85

RE: What does the novel say about the effect rigid gender roles can have on people's behavior?

Gender roles that involve mistreatment of women and children affect the men who enforce it as well as their victims. Gender roles are still strongly acted out in African culture. It will take modernization and economic progress for things to change. And, a little less religion.


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