The setting of the short story “Groom Service” (Dorris, Michael), takes place in a tribal gynocentric Native American village set in a pre-modern era. As a reader, I initially realized that the protagonist was situated in a traditional tribal village through the character Blanche’s indicated reference, “Bernard, the catch of the village, would be courting” (Dorris 15). It is quite obvious in the quotation that the setting revolves around a village. Courting in this context, is in essence, quite different from the somewhat identical term which we use today, dating. The divergence of the two terms occurs at the point of intimacy. Courting, in the context of the quotation, refers to an older and more traditional process of proposing; where certain
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Over the course of the narrative, the society and time place in which the story takes places takes form. The quote, “Blanche’s daughter was the hope of the next generation, the one who had to bring in a husband and produce more daughters than her mother or aunt, if the family was to regain its position” (Dorris 16), clearly exemplifies the degree to which females are valued over the opposite sex. Females are the dominant heads of each family, and thereby, the social structure of each clan is constructed accordingly. This is also one of the main reasons why I believe the story takes place in a Native American village. It is widely shown in Native American history that certain clans were completely gynocentric; that is, in their nature, mainly dominated by females. There are also other hints that prove the story’s Native American setting. “He and I never talk about serious matters. He’s not of the clan” (Dorris 17). This quote is verification of the short story’s Native American setting. In context, the protagonist Bernard, discusses with his uncle Theodore, about the uncomfortable environment around himself and his father – who is not of the clan. The use of the word clan itself justifies the existence of other group of individuals who are mutual in descent or kin. It substantiates the same category of clans that have existed in Native American
Over the course of the narrative, the society and time place in which the story takes places takes form. The quote, “Blanche’s daughter was the hope of the next generation, the one who had to bring in a husband and produce more daughters than her mother or aunt, if the family was to regain its position” (Dorris 16), clearly exemplifies the degree to which females are valued over the opposite sex. Females are the dominant heads of each family, and thereby, the social structure of each clan is constructed accordingly. This is also one of the main reasons why I believe the story takes place in a Native American village. It is widely shown in Native American history that certain clans were completely gynocentric; that is, in their nature, mainly dominated by females. There are also other hints that prove the story’s Native American setting. “He and I never talk about serious matters. He’s not of the clan” (Dorris 17). This quote is verification of the short story’s Native American setting. In context, the protagonist Bernard, discusses with his uncle Theodore, about the uncomfortable environment around himself and his father – who is not of the clan. The use of the word clan itself justifies the existence of other group of individuals who are mutual in descent or kin. It substantiates the same category of clans that have existed in Native American