An American author by the name of Rick Riordan once wrote that, “Humans see what they want to see.” This idea that people in society choose to only see what they desire is a phenomenon that is seen all around the world today. However, in seeing only what one wants to see, it is proven that people will often miss, or look over, the deeper details within what they are analyzing. Often times upon reading Stephen King’s The Running man, this behaviour is displayed as it is believed that the main source of conflict in the novel lies within society’s division between the rich and the poor. At first glance this concept may appear to be true seeing as the story follows the journey of a poor man named Ben Richards who, due to tough economic times, …show more content…
However, upon diving deeper into the subject matter and analyzing The Running Man through a feminist perspective, truly fascinating components arise, allowing one to see how the real problem in this story lies not in the division of classes, but in the division and mistreatment between sexes. The first fascinating component that arises when studying The Running Man from a feminist point of view lies within the use of gender stereotypes throughout the novel and how they affirm and promote the traditional roles of women in society. Sexualization of women is but another shocking element within The Running Man that, when analyzed through a feminist literary theory, quickly becomes apparent to the reader. The use gender stereotypes, specifically female stereotypes, is the first striking aspect that reveals itself under the feminist lens within The Running Man as it promotes the idea of a greater conflict between the sexes. Indeed, throughout the course of the novel, King writes multiple lines that, when examined through a feminist perspective, prove to be degrading to women as they promote and affirm the traditional roles of women in society. …show more content…
Within the novel lie a plethora of sexual remarks and comments made by male characters towards women. Each of these comments add up to promote the idea that women are symbols of sex and that the society these people are living in is extremely phallocentric. Within the novel lie a plethora of sexual remarks and comments made by male characters towards women. Each of these comments add up to promote the idea that women are symbols of sex and that the society these people are living in is extremely phallocentric. The reader first witnesses these remarks when, while at the Games Building getting registered, Richards has a conversation with a young attractive women where he states bluntly, “Nice tits,” and then later, “He leaned forward and swatted her lightly on the rump,”(King 29). Here, it is shown that Richards, the “good guy” in the novel, has little to no respect for women. Indeed, the fact that even the main protagonist in the novel acts like this, proves the notion that suggests women within The Running Man are merely there for the pleasure of men. This is an example of phallocentrism, a reoccurring concept within the novel that essentially states that men consider their sexual drives and urges as the centre of the social world, thus putting their sexual desires over the feelings of women.
From caretakers to sex objects, Ellison’s complete erasure of well-developed female characters reduces them to mere objects for men to use. By studying the narrator and the people he encounters throughout the
Michael Gerald Bauer’s The Running Man focuses on our present-day society in a highly authentic and thought-provoking manner. Bauer successfully investigates a diverse range of highly prevalent issues in our contemporary world, such as the brutal and dehumanising nature of warfare, the struggle to discover one’s identity and society’s profound fear of the unknown. These issues are explored through a vast plethora of compelling and dynamic techniques, of which include but are not limited to; a highly intricate set of metaphors, the use of silkworms as a motif and a diverse line-up of characters. These techniques and concepts assist Bauer with conveying his thoughts and views in an exceptionally clear and eloquent fashion, allowing him to forcefully engage his audience in a skilful and engaging manner.
Applying a Feminist/Gender lens reveals underlying patriarchal structures within the novel. Evidence of male dominance and superiority over female characters can be seen within Montag’s household, including his wife, Mildred. Montag tries to engage her in meaningful conversation about books, but Mildred dismisses him and focuses on superficial matters (Bradbury 65). Through a Feminist/Gender lens, this dynamic reveals the underlying gender inequalities and power imbalances inherent in their society, where men are expected to and control, similarly to how Montag assumes an authoritative role, attempting to guide their relationships and conversations, while women are expected to be submissive and obedient, just like how Mildred conforms to the role of a passive and compliant wife. Despite facing patriarchal oppression, female characters like Clarisse show women’s resistance and empowerment.
Many different depictions of gender roles exist in all times throughout the history of American culture and society. Some are well received and some are not. When pitted against each other for all intents and purposes of opposition, the portrayal of the aspects and common traits of masculinity and femininity are separated in a normal manner. However, when one gender expects the other to do its part and they are not satisfied with the results and demand more, things can shift from normal to extreme fairly quickly. This demand is more commonly attributed by the men within literary works. Examples of this can be seen in Tennessee Williams' “A Streetcar Named Desire”, where Stella is constantly being pushed around and being abused by her
Topic: Is there good and bad in all of us in relation to the novel The Running Man?
The women in the book are supposed to be loving, they are the caretakers. “Yes I’ve had a few ugly smelly guys lean over my. I got the urge to punch this cop in the crotch” (Alexie 39). This quote not only shows how men think, but
American Literature has always been about men and for men. In this essay, we are going to analyze the women’s role in the book, as inferior and weaker gender.
Within these four pages, Carter uses their sexual encounter to explore patriotic views on men through the characteristics of the Marquis and his treatment of the girl. This encounter foreshadows the outcome of
The unnamed narrator in the novel, Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison is subjected to an impossible situation shortly after the beginning of the novel when he is forced to watch a white woman perform a sexual dance all for the entertainment of the town’s wealthiest of white men. The female characters are portrayed not as individuals but rather as symbols and as a collective representative of the female gender and women’s situation at the time. The aim of this essay is to show that the inequality and invisibility forced on the Invisible Man is not exclusively reserved to him; it is also applicable to female characters within the novel. It is a nightmarishly antagonistic situation, yet the narrator manages to portray it by the use of imagery, the
The issue of gender is evident in the 3 novels, ‘Good Work, Secret Seven’ by Enid Blyton, ‘Boy Overboard’ by Morris Gletizman and ‘Divergent’ by Veronica Roth. These books all have an element of gender inequality between men and woman. This analysis will show what the influence is for the break in stereotypes between men and women, using analysis from the books chosen. Gender plays a massive role in the three chosen novels.
Sexuality has an inherent connection to human nature. Yet, even in regards to something so natural, societies throughout times have imposed expectations and gender roles upon it. Ultimately, these come to oppress women, and confine them within the limits that the world has set for them. However, society is constantly evolving, and within the past 200 years, the role of women has changed. These changes in society can be seen within the intricacies of literature in each era. Specifically, through analyzing The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, one can observe the dynamics of society in regards to the role of women through the lens of the theme of sexuality. In both novels, the confinement and oppression of women can be visibly seen as a result of these gender roles. Yet, from the time The Scarlet Letter was published to the time The Bell Jar was written, the place of women in society ultimately changed as well. Hence when evaluating the gender roles that are derived from sexuality, the difference between the portrayals of women’s oppression in each novel becomes apparent, and shows how the subjugation of women has evolved. The guiding question of this investigation is to what extent does the theme of sexuality reflect the expectations for women in society at the time each novel was written. The essay will explore how the literary elements that form each novel demonstrate each author’s independent vision which questions the
It is 1925 in the United States and the economy is in disarray. Ben Richards, a citizen of Co-Op City is unable to find work, he turns to the Games Federation, a government-operated television station, to win money for his gravely ill daughter Cathy. After meticulous physical and mental testing, Richards gets selected for The Running Man, the networks most popular, profitable, and deadly game. Richards, now an enemy of the state, is tracked down by an elite group of Hunters who are sent out to kill him. As the game begins, Richards disguises himself, and travels to Boston, nonetheless, he is tracked down by the Hunters and escapes by setting off an explosion that kills five police officers. Panicked, Richards hides in the ghetto and meets gang
The relationships between Jane and most of the men in the novel have underlying sexist tones that taint their connections. The earliest example comes from Jane’s childhood
The theme of female struggle against male dominancy is presented throughout the novel and the narrator,
While it would be very easy to focus on the constant assault of the sexuality of both the men and women that are represented in this story, I feel that sexuality is only a minor theme. The provocativeness that the story contains is used more to draw people to either listen or view the story itself than present a major theme in sexuality. The major issue that he is trying to bring forward is that of conflict and how it occurs in more than just war. Let's look at the three major conflicts within this story.