"Boys and Girls" by A. Munroe and Reflections for Next Wks Reading

[belinda111]

A)     In "Boys and Girls" by Alice Munroe, the working areas of both the father and mother radiate different feelings from the main character in the story,their school-aged daughter. The cellar is described as relatively bright and an inviting place to be. "The cellar was whitewashed, and lit by a hundred-watt bulb over the worktable." Munroe

Comments

Boys and Girls

[reesa59]

I agree, the narrator definately places a higher importance on her father's work.All binaries discussed view the father's world as superior. For myself, I could not view what the father does as better or more appealing than what the mother does. It all sounded hard and dreary to me. But I guess the freedom of the outdoor world represents the perceived freedom of maleness over womanhood to the narator.

[kitty00litter]

Good analysis, I completely agree with the binaries you pointed out. I also give you props for pointing out the children feeling comfortable and safe in their beds. I viewed the upstairs as being dark and scary for them, completely missing out on how they felt safe only within their beds.

[eciov92]

I enjoyed your analysis. Your focus on how the narrator was able to dream about a life she wished she could have was very interesting. It lead me to think that the narrator may have been desiring a more feminine way of life, but was frightened to move beyond the safety and security of following in her father's footsteps and afraid to show the world who she really was.

[krobb15]

I agree with your analysis about the narrator constantly describing the children's room as a safe place, while really the description of it would normally scare children. I also agree with your binaries about the mother and father's work and how they are valued to the children. I think the father's work was outside, exciting and fun, while the mother's work was inside and ultimately very boring.