Gender Theory - Free Essay Sample

Introduction

Gender theory refers to the study of matters regarding masculinity and femininity that include, but not limited to, literature, applied linguistics, sociology, history, religion, education, philosophy, cultural studies, and health sciences. Gender is manifested in the novel Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson in various ways. The two female characters, Jeanette and her adopted mother dominate the story leaving out male characters like Jeanette's father who could have played an essential role in bringing up the author. Gender theory is concerned with reinterpreting old text to establish the relevance and importance of the female gender in the male-dominated world. It is also rooted in the economic, psychological, and political oppression that women undergo (Howe 3). Jeanette's story deliberately sidelines the role of the male gender by focusing much on female characters.

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Gender Theory

Gender theory was established out of women and queer studies in the early 1990s (Howe 3). It is a broad academic field that applies to various disciplines that are concerned with analyzing gender identity and representation. It cuts across politics, gender, feminism, and matters relating to women, men, and queer studies. The theory has greatly contributed to the study of literature. It helps in recognizing the contribution of both genders in the development of literary works. For instance, before the 20th century, women have been politically, economically, and psychologically oppressed and hence limiting their contribution to literary works (Howe 6). Feminism has become more popular, and as a result, most gender parity matters are being addressed.

Jeanette's mother is portrayed as biased towards gender balance. She seems to hate men to an extent that she wishes and to raise children without a father (Winterson). Her commitment to living her life as a single woman shows that she has a dark experience with men and did not want to be a part of their life. Jeanette's mother provides a forum that women do not need to be confined in tradition and religion. Nevertheless, the author's ideas reflected on the ideas of the 18th century addressing the issues that were of great concern during the restoration period. Women's oppression has been addressed appropriately, and it opened a way for the future of both genders, even though improvements can be made.

Gender Imbalance

Gender imbalance is an essential aspect of Jeanette's story. She did not narrate her adopted mother's story before she joined the family hence leaving a gap in the understanding of her mother's actions. According to the story, it is apparent that Jeanette's mother did not want to bear children when she says that the mother wanted to raise children but did not want to engage in sexual activity (Winterson). Not that she was unable to become pregnant but because she did not want to. Therefore the option was to use sexless options that led to the adoption of Jeanette. This aspect shows how Jeanette's society had negative feelings between men and women to a level that affected the basic foundations of families.

Jeanette's mother made a deliberate decision to adopt a girl child so that she could continue with the feminine agenda that prevails throughout the story. She thought of her Christian doctrines from the early ages before even beginning formal school. Jeanette was raised to become a special child and later a missionary. With this kind of parenting as exhibited by Jeanette's mother, the author was expected to grow up and continue with the ways she was thought (Winterson). This aspect could have widened the gender gap even further. Contrary to her mother's expectations, she broke the chains and followed other ways that were deemed unholy.

At a tender age, Jeanette was developed to becoming a fierce woman with bitterness and hatred for her enemies, and without a forgiving heart. This scenario could lead to a society with more conflicts than the consensus among the future generations that were to learn from her. Her mother believed in most of the Old Testament teachings whereby there was more punishment to wrongdoers than forgiveness. This aspect is depicted in her prayers that ended up with a request to God to punish and course her enemies.

Gender Roles and Sexuality

The author emphasizes the issue of gender roles and sexuality by discussing the position of women in society is discussed from different views such as family, church, community life, household, and politics. Jeanette explains how religion and tradition confined the women and how finally roles changed with time out of the influence brought by Jeanette after she brought a new perspective about Christian doctrines. The story provides the reader with a view of the process through which the new gender roles were formed. It makes the reader understand the factors that contributed to the change in gender roles at the end of the 18th century. The source, therefore, acts as a reference point in the study of gender and sexuality as the main theme in 18th-century literature. the journal acts as a reference point when comparing gender roles in 18th-century literature and modern literature.

Before Jeanette's book was published, the main themes and moods in the 18th-century literature included; gender and sexuality, which was mostly addressed during the restoration era by authors like Aphra Behn in her classic restoration comedy the Rover, politics, and religion was another dominant theme addressed by alexander pope. All these themes despite them existing a long time ago, still, exist in modern literature. Gender and sexuality is a hot topic where it addresses issues facing men and women in the modern world. Gender-based violence is a vice being addressed by many modern-day authors. Modern writers like Alice Tyler and Stephen King still use satire and wit in their works. The themes of love and marriage that began in the era of romanticism in the 18th century still form an interesting topic in modern literature. As we learn from the era of romanticism, literature changed and moved from manners. Today's literature is more interesting when it comes to romance, sex, and love. Authors call a spade by its name, which is a norm that began in the 18th century. Therefore the themes addressed in modern literature have their roots in the 18th century, only that the roots have grown deeper.

Conclusion

Finally, Jeanette's story entangles gender and religion by showing how women embraced religion more than men. This aspect is indicated by the mother's decision to adopt a baby girl to be trained and take up the missionary work. Another aspect is displayed by the several encounters by women in the story including the church women, Jeanette's friend Melanie, among others. The men figures in the story are limited, only the church pastor and Jeanette's father whose mentions sparingly.

Reference

Howe, Florence. Feminism and the study of literature. The Radical Teacher, no. 3, 1976, pp. 3-11. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20709043.

Winterson, Jeanette. Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit. London: Vintage, 2014. Print.