Can a society truly function without the social normative of gender? Lois Lowry begins to explore this idea in her text The Giver. This fictional society contains binary oppositions which paradoxically reinforce and redefine gender. Gender is reinforced by the visual manifestations of girls and boys, assumption of gender based on sex and alternative treatment towards a specific gender. In opposition of these elements, gender is redefined by the fulfilment of occupational roles of individuals in the society and parental influence and behaviour towards children. Together these elements question the perspective and construction of gender within the text.
The concept of gender is present in this text by the application of visual apparatuses to …show more content…
Traditionalists define a patriarchal society as " " sexual asymmetry," [which is] the assignment of different tasks and roles to men and women (Lerner 16). Roles and tasks of women in a sexual asymmetric society include "child-bearing and child-rearing" while men’s roles are traditionally are to become "hunters" (Lerner 17). The term hunters is a subjective term and can be viewed as providers. The Giver's society disassembles the traditional male supremacist system therefore no longer defining gender based on occupational duties. Both of Jonas's parents are examples of this. Jonas's father is a Nurturer, meaning he tends to the infants and birthmothers of the community. In contrast, Jonas's mother is a just justice professional which is considered a male dominated profession in a traditionalist society. Jonas's parents exemplify this society's belief on removing stereotypical gender roles and replacing that concept with specific qualities an individual has to best suit a specific role. Therefore this society does not define gender based on occupation.
The Giver not only redefines gender stereotypes through occupational roles but also through the execution of behaviour. Traditionally in a patriarchal family system, the hierarchy of a family unit would consist of mainly male authority. The husband, in a heterosexual relationship, would exercise the majority of control. Traditionally the father of the family would also discipline members including children when optimal behaviour was not
The concept of gender is present in this text by the application of visual apparatuses to …show more content…
Traditionalists define a patriarchal society as " " sexual asymmetry," [which is] the assignment of different tasks and roles to men and women (Lerner 16). Roles and tasks of women in a sexual asymmetric society include "child-bearing and child-rearing" while men’s roles are traditionally are to become "hunters" (Lerner 17). The term hunters is a subjective term and can be viewed as providers. The Giver's society disassembles the traditional male supremacist system therefore no longer defining gender based on occupational duties. Both of Jonas's parents are examples of this. Jonas's father is a Nurturer, meaning he tends to the infants and birthmothers of the community. In contrast, Jonas's mother is a just justice professional which is considered a male dominated profession in a traditionalist society. Jonas's parents exemplify this society's belief on removing stereotypical gender roles and replacing that concept with specific qualities an individual has to best suit a specific role. Therefore this society does not define gender based on occupation.
The Giver not only redefines gender stereotypes through occupational roles but also through the execution of behaviour. Traditionally in a patriarchal family system, the hierarchy of a family unit would consist of mainly male authority. The husband, in a heterosexual relationship, would exercise the majority of control. Traditionally the father of the family would also discipline members including children when optimal behaviour was not