By strict definition, a man is an adult human male, and a woman is an adult human female. However, with such a wide variety of people with diverse personalities and viewpoints, there is no one clear cut definition to summarize either of the genders as a whole. Though this is true, there are societal norms in place that dictate what behaviors are considered accepted or appropriate for a person, entirely based on their gender. These societal norms are called gender roles, and they have existed for practically as long as society has, and possibly even longer. They have dictated the way that people think and behave, which lead to the oppression of women. Throughout the ages, women have been the ones to raise children and tend to the house while
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These changes are practically the basis of the novel, which is essentially about this new type of woman emerging. Hemingway managed to develop strong female characters that no one had seen in literature before, especially with Brett. Brett is more manly attributes than the average woman of her era, what with her boyish, short hair and the men’s clothing she wears, and none of the men she associates with minds or thinks she is less of a woman. Hemingway writes of Brett through Jake, “Brett was damned good-looking … and her hair was brushed back like a boy’s. She started all that. She was built with curves like the hull of a racing yacht, and you missed none of it with that wool jersey” (page 27). This quote from Jake shows how Brett’s gender of a female is still portrayed and seen among her peers, no matter how masculinely she dresses. To add, Brett is always in control of her surroundings, which was very uncommon among the women of the early 19th century. Through Brett’s promiscuity, you can see how independent she is. She never apologizes for the way she is or for the fact of how many love interests she has, responding to Jake when he makes accusations about the former, and tells him, “Oh, well. What if I do?” (page 27). In Jake’s perspective, this may even make him respect her more, as he can relate to her on her unfeminine approach to romance. Due to Jake’s impotence from the injury he sustained during the war, Jake and Brett’s relationship is especially unique. They cannot consummate, which forces Jake to see Brett as less of a sexual object and more of a person. Because of this, they have a friendship that is entirely founded on supporting each other
These changes are practically the basis of the novel, which is essentially about this new type of woman emerging. Hemingway managed to develop strong female characters that no one had seen in literature before, especially with Brett. Brett is more manly attributes than the average woman of her era, what with her boyish, short hair and the men’s clothing she wears, and none of the men she associates with minds or thinks she is less of a woman. Hemingway writes of Brett through Jake, “Brett was damned good-looking … and her hair was brushed back like a boy’s. She started all that. She was built with curves like the hull of a racing yacht, and you missed none of it with that wool jersey” (page 27). This quote from Jake shows how Brett’s gender of a female is still portrayed and seen among her peers, no matter how masculinely she dresses. To add, Brett is always in control of her surroundings, which was very uncommon among the women of the early 19th century. Through Brett’s promiscuity, you can see how independent she is. She never apologizes for the way she is or for the fact of how many love interests she has, responding to Jake when he makes accusations about the former, and tells him, “Oh, well. What if I do?” (page 27). In Jake’s perspective, this may even make him respect her more, as he can relate to her on her unfeminine approach to romance. Due to Jake’s impotence from the injury he sustained during the war, Jake and Brett’s relationship is especially unique. They cannot consummate, which forces Jake to see Brett as less of a sexual object and more of a person. Because of this, they have a friendship that is entirely founded on supporting each other