From the beginning of “O Pioneers!” readers are shown a complete disregard, or reversal, of gender roles. Gender roles are highly discussed in American literature. Characters in “O Pioneers!” are not shamed for their gender reversals, Alexandra is actually seemed to be praised for being masculine. Alexandra is the character that the audience gets to see gender reversal in. Carl is also described differently than the stereotypical man. While Alexandra and Carl are the most prominent characters that show gender disregard, or reversal, there are characters that show gender disregard in subtle ways. Lou and Oscar are seen as masculine, but when Alexandra, a woman, is given the family property the brothers take no initiative in taking the land from her. One of the most prominent themes in “O Pioneers!” would be gender roles, this is especially true when examining Alexandra, Carl, and Lou and Oscar.
Alexandra is not the kind of girl to conform to what society thinks she should be. Alexandra does what she wants and is who she wants to be. Although Alexandra does care about other people and …show more content…
These characters show reversal, and disregard, of gender roles throughout the novel. The gender reversal the audience is given is not a negative thing. Alexandra is a strong woman. There is nothing that she needs from a man she does not even marry until the very end of the novel. American literature almost always shows some sort of controversy with gender roles. “O Pioneers!” is interesting because gender reversal is seen as a good thing for the most part. Alexandra is not doomed to social abnormality, she is praised for all that she can do. Carl is not made a mockery of because he is feminine, he is just simply Carl. “O Pioneers!” can be taken as an antifeminist, or a feminist novel in the way that it presents gender roles. The meaning is in the eyes of the
Alexandra is not the kind of girl to conform to what society thinks she should be. Alexandra does what she wants and is who she wants to be. Although Alexandra does care about other people and …show more content…
These characters show reversal, and disregard, of gender roles throughout the novel. The gender reversal the audience is given is not a negative thing. Alexandra is a strong woman. There is nothing that she needs from a man she does not even marry until the very end of the novel. American literature almost always shows some sort of controversy with gender roles. “O Pioneers!” is interesting because gender reversal is seen as a good thing for the most part. Alexandra is not doomed to social abnormality, she is praised for all that she can do. Carl is not made a mockery of because he is feminine, he is just simply Carl. “O Pioneers!” can be taken as an antifeminist, or a feminist novel in the way that it presents gender roles. The meaning is in the eyes of the