Graceling Women and Femininity Quotes

Which, we suppose, is kind of a good thing, right? For girls at least. It's not so good for boys though, since it implies that it's easy for people to imagine a boy attacking someone, and that doesn't seem to place boys in the most favorable light. Then again, maybe the point here is that people don't think girls are physically strong or agile enough to stage an attack, in which case this comment becomes a slight to girls and a nod to boys for their physical superiority. Tough choice. What do you think?

Because of the way her society defines womanhood and femininity, Katsa draws the conclusion that she is not normal because she doesn't want a husband or children and she's stronger than most men. Do you think things are vastly different in the world today? What does modern society make of a woman who doesn't want a husband or children? How about a woman who is very physically strong?

We're guessing there were plenty of women in Randa's court who would have loved to take Katsa's place at those dinners, just as there are many women out here in the real world who would relish the chance to get dressed up, have their hair done, throw on some jewels, and be seated next to an eligible bachelor or two. But these are exactly all of the things Katsa hates rolled into dinner. Nightly. Which must make it very difficult for her to continue to rebel against society's traditional expectations of women.

Ah yes, the mysteries of the birds and the bees, the facts of life, the day your parents found you in the cabbage patch—also known as human reproduction and sexuality. It's a subject that makes lots of people act awkward and goofy (hence all the euphemisms), and the adults around Katsa are no exception.

But you see, there are things about growing up female (or male, for that matter) that are good to know. In advance. Something of which Helda is clearly aware. Of course, the reason Katsa consents to engage Helda as her personal servant isn't because she understands the value of having someone around to explain all the intricacies of her budding femininity—she just wants to get out of Randa's state dinners, something from which Helda promises to give her an occasional break.

Whatever Katsa's reasons were for accepting Helda's offer of service, we're glad she did because we think Helda's presence in her life is important. Which makes us wonder: Do girls need adult women to help them ease into womanhood? Do boys need adult men to help them ease into man-dom? Does gender matter when it comes to who provides the information?

If you've spent enough time with shows like The Brady Bunch or The Wonder Years, it's pretty hard to imagine there's anyone out there, male or female, who doesn't spend at least a little time wondering who finds them attractive. But we'll take Katsa at her word. And Helda at hers, which seems to suggest that a woman should spend a fair amount of time considering her romantic options.

What is it with women's fashion and crazy uncomfortable shoes? Sure we've heard women say that they find stilettos perfectly comfortable. We've even heard some women claim that they find heels more comfortable than sneakers, and maybe (just maybe) they're being truthful when they make these statements. But there's no denying that for hundreds of years now women have been expected to endure some pretty torturous inventions in the name of beauty, fashion, and femininity.

Think we're out of line? Then why did Katsa rip out her hairpins and throw her shoes in the fountain? And why is this article on WebMD?

What do you think of when you hear the word workroom? A desk. Maybe a computer. Or perhaps power tools, art supplies, or a drafting table. A place where someone could get a little work done, right? Well that's not the kind of workroom Katsa is expected to have. Katsa's work, when she wasn't out acting as her uncle's royal thug, was supposed to consist of things like sewing, embroidery, and crocheting.

Now those are all perfectly valid pursuits, right up until the point where they become assigned to and required of a person because of gender. Of course on this point, as on many others, Katsa bucks the trend. For more on Katsa's workroom, check out the "Symbols" section.

Whoa. Did you catch that? Giddon is implying here that it would be unnatural for a woman to not want to reproduce. Hm. We wonder if he feels the same way about men. Is it unnatural for a man to not want children, or is that okay, even normal? See what we're getting at here? Whenever society (or Giddon) makes statements about what is natural for a person to want, society (or Giddon) is also saying that anyone who doesn't share those particular desires is unnatural. And we don't think that's either: (a) true, or (b) okay.

How do you feel when you read Katsa's response here? Can you relate? Does it seem strange to you for a person to not want to have children? Does it matter that Katsa is a woman?

It certainly does seem backwards, but it feeds into the stereotypes that men are supposed to be protectors while women are supposed to be protect-ees. And Katsa, who is perfectly capable of protecting herself, finds herself questioning her place in society precisely because she isn't vulnerable or dependent upon someone else for her protection. Instead of considering herself a strong and powerful woman, she considers herself an unnatural one, and that's just sad.