Kinga Ryczek
Midterm Response
LSP: 200 Autumn
Waiting to Exhale
As children we aspire to finish our education, get married, have a family and prosper for the remainder of our life, this reflects the perfect “American Dream.” Yet, not all dreams become reality. The women of Waiting to Exhale have illustrated the obstacles that surface with this dream and that not all endings are happy, and the road to happy can be bumpy. The women in the book are faced with political, racial, romantic relationship matters, interracial dating, friendships, careers, and class. As Terry McMillan takes us on a ride along the women’s road to success we, as the readers examine things that are placed as barriers in their lives for a successful romantic life. The …show more content…
“He sounded just like a white boy, she thought, which is what he’s always wanted to be anyway.” (p.130) Terry McMillan decides to throw a curveball as John leaves Bernadine for a white woman. This brought dimension to the story line as interracial dating at this time was rising. The author showcases the struggle Bernadine has to face as a single mother when she has to face the real world and raise her children on her own. “I’m running out of steam.” (P.225) Due to Bernadine’s circumstances her trust has blocked any kind of attempt for a future romantic relationship. As Bernadine states “you believed in him, in the safety of his plans.” (p.32) She trusted her husband without a reasonable doubt, which ended up burning her in the end. In the book, she states, “you postponed your dream again. For five more years.” (p.33) She was hooked on the idea of the American dream that she forgot to be an independent woman. Bernadine “couldn’t remember the last time she spend so much time by herself, the last time she had time to herself.” (p.271) This goes to show her gender role in the relationship was the stereotypical stay at home wife who caters to her husband and children. As the women’s rights movement along the way, this addresses and empowers women …show more content…
She has set her eyes and goals on the American Dream and is willing to settle for any man who will treat her with the respect she desires. She wants the ultimate American Dream. She wants to be married, have children, have a nice house, go on vacation, etc. It doesn’t seem like much however, her standards in men have displaced her from a successful relationship. Michael provided her with all of her wants and needs however, she didn’t find him attractive or didn’t find pleasure in having sex with him. She contemplates “he spend more time and money on me in six weeks than all the men I’ve known put together. Why doesn’t that thrill me?” (p.144) Meanwhile she’s desperately waiting for Russell to leave his wife for her because he is her ideal man. Terry McMillan chooses to express Robin as an open book, in the sense that she is very promiscuous and sexually open which is uncommon for this time in history. Men tend to be the one’s who are open with their sexuality however; McMillan wants to change this perspective. Why should it be okay for men to sleep with many women and be proud however, a woman who sleeps with many men is seen as a man-eater. This can be viewed in a negative light when it comes to future relationships as men looking for a serious relationship frown upon this kind of
Midterm Response
LSP: 200 Autumn
Waiting to Exhale
As children we aspire to finish our education, get married, have a family and prosper for the remainder of our life, this reflects the perfect “American Dream.” Yet, not all dreams become reality. The women of Waiting to Exhale have illustrated the obstacles that surface with this dream and that not all endings are happy, and the road to happy can be bumpy. The women in the book are faced with political, racial, romantic relationship matters, interracial dating, friendships, careers, and class. As Terry McMillan takes us on a ride along the women’s road to success we, as the readers examine things that are placed as barriers in their lives for a successful romantic life. The …show more content…
“He sounded just like a white boy, she thought, which is what he’s always wanted to be anyway.” (p.130) Terry McMillan decides to throw a curveball as John leaves Bernadine for a white woman. This brought dimension to the story line as interracial dating at this time was rising. The author showcases the struggle Bernadine has to face as a single mother when she has to face the real world and raise her children on her own. “I’m running out of steam.” (P.225) Due to Bernadine’s circumstances her trust has blocked any kind of attempt for a future romantic relationship. As Bernadine states “you believed in him, in the safety of his plans.” (p.32) She trusted her husband without a reasonable doubt, which ended up burning her in the end. In the book, she states, “you postponed your dream again. For five more years.” (p.33) She was hooked on the idea of the American dream that she forgot to be an independent woman. Bernadine “couldn’t remember the last time she spend so much time by herself, the last time she had time to herself.” (p.271) This goes to show her gender role in the relationship was the stereotypical stay at home wife who caters to her husband and children. As the women’s rights movement along the way, this addresses and empowers women …show more content…
She has set her eyes and goals on the American Dream and is willing to settle for any man who will treat her with the respect she desires. She wants the ultimate American Dream. She wants to be married, have children, have a nice house, go on vacation, etc. It doesn’t seem like much however, her standards in men have displaced her from a successful relationship. Michael provided her with all of her wants and needs however, she didn’t find him attractive or didn’t find pleasure in having sex with him. She contemplates “he spend more time and money on me in six weeks than all the men I’ve known put together. Why doesn’t that thrill me?” (p.144) Meanwhile she’s desperately waiting for Russell to leave his wife for her because he is her ideal man. Terry McMillan chooses to express Robin as an open book, in the sense that she is very promiscuous and sexually open which is uncommon for this time in history. Men tend to be the one’s who are open with their sexuality however; McMillan wants to change this perspective. Why should it be okay for men to sleep with many women and be proud however, a woman who sleeps with many men is seen as a man-eater. This can be viewed in a negative light when it comes to future relationships as men looking for a serious relationship frown upon this kind of