Notions of gender roles are blatantly challenged in Harriet the Spy. The characters seem to oppose stereotypes of what readers are conditioned to expect of them. Harriet is indeed an interesting character. We are first introduced to her on the playground where she is teaching Sport to pay her game. Although Sport would much rather play ball it is pretty much Harriet's way or no way. The female character takes control, Sport is compliant.
As the children are creating their characters for the city, better yet Harriet's city, the ideals of their characters seem to be switched. Sport, the boy, imagines a peaceful and coherent atmosphere where the characters live happily amongst one another. He also envisions a son who cooks and plays football. On the other hand Harriet is repulsed by Sport's lack of creativity and placid dreams. Harriet's vision is inclusive of violence, deformity, and everything less the than princess fairytale that I was expecting.
In the scene where Ole Golly finds Harriet and Sport in the mud, I immediately noticed that Ole Golly was only concerned with Harriet being in the mud. In a way this correlates to the article that criticizes the didacticism of children's literature. The adults establish the decorum in which the children should follow. It is okay for Sport to play in the mud, presumably because he is a boy, but not Harriet.
In the scene where Ole Golly finds Harriet and Sport in the mud, I immediately noticed that Ole Golly was only concerned with Harriet being in the mud. In a way this correlates to the article that criticizes the didacticism of children's literature. The adults establish the decorum in which the children should follow. It is okay for Sport to play in the mud, presumably because he is a boy, but not Harriet.
Hello, Asia!
ReplyDeleteThroughout Harriet the Spy, there are tons of moments and scenes in which gender roles are challenged. As you pointed out, Sport is effeminate in his duties, such as cooking and cleaning for his father, but he seems to attempt to compensate by being interesting in playing sports. Janie rejects dancing school in favor of scientific pursuits, which is historically a male dominated field, and even the sort of science she studies is masculine in nature - Michael Bay, anyone? Ole Golly, in some ways, is masculine in her physical appearance and mannerisms, but has feminine tastes, such as her yellow flowers. It's interesting to see how the novel uses the characters to play with gender roles and performance, and how they interact with one another.
Thanks!
- Shelby.
Hi Asia (and Shelby),
ReplyDeleteI agree with your portrayal of Sport as compliant and as effeminate in nature, and I think that it perhaps stems from a psychological need for Sport - his mother is certainly not present in this novel. I read Sport's and Harriet's different perspectives from playing Town as highlighting the difference between their social classes and what the kinds of worries they have. However, I also agree with your reading of it having to deal with gender roles!
Shelby, I think you are spot on with Ole Golly being a bundle of feminine and masculine qualities, I never even thought of that! This novel certainly does flip gender norms on its head and pave the way for new kinds of female and male characters in children's literature.
Thanks,
Anne O.